Two people have been confirmed dead following a passenger train derailment near Wallan, about 50km outside of Melbourne.

A Sydney to Melbourne XPT TrainLink service derailed around 8pm on Thursday 20 February.

The train was carrying around 160 passengers and five crew at the time of derailment.

ABC News reported that the impact killed the train’s driver, a 54-year-old ACT man, and the train pilot, a 49-year-old Castlemaine woman.

Twelve others were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

An emergency triage area has been established at the BP in Wallan to treat passengers with minor injuries.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that as of 8:56am on 21 February, about 20 people remain unaccounted for.

Police are appealing for anyone who was onboard the train and did not make contact with emergency services, or who had a booking but did not travel, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and list themselves as safe.

“Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased,” Transport for NSW said in a statement.

The Federal, New South Wales and Victorian Governments are working closely to support all those involved in the incident.

A range of support measures will be available to passengers, crew and their families.

Victoria Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, Work Safe and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator will conduct a full and thorough investigation to establish the cause of the incident.

Transport for NSW said it could not comment any further during the police investigation.

Western services remain affected by line closures in the Blue Mountains. Some regional coach services also remain affected by road closures.

Transport for NSW is using coaches to replace trains for the entire XPT service.

More to come.

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