Wednesday, April 27 2005 10:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: At least 30 people were killed in a train-bus collision in North-western Sri Lanka today (Apr 27, 2005), police said.

The Colombo-bound bus tried to beat an express train at a level crossing near Polgahawela, 80 kilometres northeast of Colombo, he said.

"We estimate at least 30 bus passengers were killed," a police spokesman said, adding that the bus caught fire.

Rescue workers were still trying to get at the charred remains of passengers.

There were no immediate reports of casualties among the train passengers.