PATNA, India (AFP) - An Indian express train ploughed into a crowd of Hindu pilgrims in the country's east on Monday, killing at least 10, an Indian Railways spokesman said.

"We have information that at least 10 Hindu pilgrims ... were killed today by an express train while they were crossing the tracks despite the red signal," spokesman Amitabh Prabhakar said.

"The toll is likely to rise," Mr Prabhakar said, with local media reporting that the number killed could reach 20.

The accident occurred in Saharsa district in the state of Bihar, some 200 kilometres from the state capital Patna.

Local police said angry mobs have started attacking the Rajya Rani Express, an interstate passenger train, and set fire to several carriages. They have also attacked a nearby train station.