German passenger train crashes into freight train, five injured

German police say dozens of people may have been injured after a freight train and a passenger train collided.

Authorities say five people have been injured in a train crash in Germany. (AAP)

German authorities say five people have been injured after a passenger train hit a freight train in a western town near Duesseldorf.

The Meerbusch fire department says about 150 people were on board the regional commuter train when it ran into the freight train on the same track near the town's station.

None of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

Photos released by the Meerbusch fire department showed the passenger train partially derailed but still upright.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Earlier, german police feared up to 50 people may have been injured, dpa reported.