SEOUL (AFP) - A collision between a bullet train and a local passenger train on Saturday paralysed a key South Korean rail artery, transport officials said, but there were no serious injuries.

The high-speed train was rammed on its side by the local train as it was travelling through Daegu railway station, the transport ministry said in a statement.

Eleven passenger coaches, including 10 from the high speed train, were derailed in the accident, which paralysed the crucial route between Seoul and the southern city of Busan for nearly three hours.

All passengers - 870 on both trains - were safely evacuated and taken by bus or taxi to nearby East Daegu station.

Yonhap news agency said a few passengers suffered minor cuts as they attempted to escape through the windows.

The cause of the collision is being investigated, the ministry said.