Twelve passengers were killed when they leapt from a moving train amid a false fire alarm in India.

The horrifying incident occurred when commuters jumped from the Lucknow-Mumbai Pushpak Express after a rumoured blaze alert in one of their compartments.

They were tragically struck by the Bengaluru-New Delhi Karnataka Express, which was travelling at 130-140 mph in the opposite direction.

The incident occurred in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on Wednesday evening, January 22.

Authorities reported that the Pushpak Express had halted when passengers pulled the alarm chain.

The Karnataka Express driver applied the brakes upon noticing the flasher lights, but a track curvature near the spot hindered visibility.

Police said: 'The curvature of almost two degrees obstructed visibility and reduced the distance for the drivers to apply brakes. The passengers also could not see the approaching train because of the curvature. The drivers tried their best to avert the accident.'

Footage shows disembarked commuters gathered at the scene after the incident.

Fifteen passengers were reportedly injured, with four said to be in serious condition.

Authorities confirmed there was no fire on the train, though it was still uncertain what caused the smoke reported by travellers.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences to the victims' families and promised them financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh (approximately 4,650 GBP).

(1 Rs = 0.0093 GBP)