Amsterdam, Sep 25 (DPA) Several people were injured as two cargo trains collided and hit a passenger train near Rotterdam Thursday night, according to Dutch police.

Police said 'there were relatively few injured' after the two cargo trains collided at about 10.30 p.m. (2030 GMT) near Barendrecht, close to Rotterdam.

A spokesperson from rail management company ProRail said the passenger train was hit when 'one or more cars from the cargo train got sidetracked after colliding with the other cargo train.'

National railways company NS said no passengers were injured in the accident. Dutch news agency ANP reported that the driver of one of the cargo trains was injured and had got stuck in his cabin.

Police indicated 'dangerous fluids or gases' might have escaped after the collision.

Several passengers who were taken out of the train reported a 'smell of diesel' and said they saw 'sparks' and 'fires' following the collision.

NS Railways immediately stopped all train traffic between Rotterdam Central and Dordrecht.