ROME - At least one person was killed and 50 injured in northern Italy on Tuesday when a train derailed near the town of Viareggio and gas tanks on two of the wagons exploded hitting surrounding buildings, state television said.

News agency ANSA quoted Viareggio police as saying one person had been killed and some 50 were injured, some of them badly.

It said two buildings close to Viareggio station had collapsed and police and fire crews were on the scene looking for other possible victims among the rubble.

State television RAI said two gas tanks containing liquified petroleum gas had exploded. Initial reports had spoken of "several dead".