PRAGUE (REUTERS) - At least two people were killed and 24 were injured when two trains collided in the north-west of the Czech Republic near the border with Germany on Tuesday (July 7), an emergency services spokesman said.

The accident occurred between Pernink, about 10km from Germany, and Nove Hamry, in the region of spa town Karlovy Vary.

Of those injured, nine had serious or severe injuries.

German citizens were among the injured, the emergency services spokesman said.

CTK news agency reported the trains crashed less than 1km from Pernink station.

One of the trains was headed to Johanngeorgenstadt in Germany, it said.

German emergency services assisted with the injured at the site of the accident in the hilly, wooded area, CTK reported.