Rescuers are working to free those trapped after a train derailed in Moscow's packed metro during rush hour, killing 20 people and injuring more than 100 in the worst accident to hit one of the world's busiest subways.
Russian television on Tuesday described scenes of chaos and panic on the capital city's famed system, saying passengers fell like dominoes when the train braked abruptly and three carriages derailed.
President Vladimir Putin, who is currently on a trip to Brazil, was informed of the tragedy that put a huge strain on the city of some 12 million and snarled traffic on its notoriously clogged roads amid a heatwave.
Sirens wailed as dozens of ambulances rushed to help treat the wounded and helicopters buzzed overhead to evacuate those with the most serious injuries, AFP journalists said at the scene outside the deep Park Pobedy metro station in western Moscow.
Nineteen people perished at the scene and another passenger died of her injuries in hospital, a health ministry spokesman said in televised remarks, adding that nearly 130 people were hospitalised.
Rescue teams were working to free about five people believed to be stuck in a train underground, Moscow deputy mayor Pyotr Biryukov told journalists at the scene.
"There are those who've been trapped, they are showing signs of life," he said.
Around half of those who were hospitalised were in a serious condition, authorities said.
"I thought it was the end," one passenger said on television. "We were trapped and only got out through a miracle.
"There were lots of injured. Various injuries: heads, legs."
Passengers said smoke quickly spread through the carriages and rescue workers treated them with oxygen.
The accident took place as temperatures outside soared to 28 degrees Celsius.
Authorities said it would take 24 hours to deal with the aftermath of the accident.
As news of the crash spread, the hashtag #metro quickly become one of the most popular on Twitter in Russia.
Alexei Naryshkin, a presenter on the popular Echo of Moscow radio station, posted a photograph on Twitter of rescue workers carrying a body in a black bag.
"They are laying out the injured. They constantly go down with stretchers. They carry them out. Some are unconscious. Some are moaning with pain," Naryshkin wrote.
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin rushed to the scene and pledged to do everything possible to help the victims.
"What happened is one of the most major accidents of recent times," he said.
Television footage showed rescue workers carrying bloodied passengers away on stretchers, while paramedics treated some on nearby grass verges.
Sobbing people, some with bandages around their heads, were shown seated on chairs outside the metro.
Citing preliminary information, the Investigative Committee said the accident happened due to a train braking abruptly because of a false alarm triggered by a supply voltage dip.
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