A train linking Romanian capital Bucharest and the Western city of Timisoara derailed in South Romania county of Dolj on Sunday to Monday night. 13 people were wounded in the incident and were hospitalized. Transport minister Radu Berceanu who visited the area on Monday morning said that according to preliminary investigations some bolts fixing pieces of rail one to another had been removed.

He said it looked like an intentional act which might have led to a "colossal tragedy".

The eight cars and the engine of the train were seriously affected in the accident, which occurred about half an our after another train passed the area without incident. One of the 13 hospitalized people is seriously wounded, while the rest suffered minor injuries.

The 300 passengers were terribly scared when the train derailed and hurried to get off, according to witness reports.

Traffic in the area is expected to remain blocked for 24 hours as the area is not easily accessible and intervention teams find it hard to reach it.