A train carrying 490 people derailed in Eastern Taiwan and killed around 50 people and dozens have been injured.

According to the government-run Central News Agency (CNA), the train was travelling to Taitung when it came off the rails on Friday morning.

Moreover, the driver of the train has been dead and 69 people were shifted to the hospitals in a nearby city, Hualien.

The authorities stated that every one trapped under the damaged train have been removed.

French citizen was killed in the crash, while two Japanese citizens and a citizen of Macau were among those injured.

Taiwanese lawyers have sought an arrest warrant for the construction site manager whose truck is believed to caused the accident.

Authorities suspect the truck hit the train when it slid down a bank next to the track from the construction site because the brake was not properly engaged.