<p>A passenger train derailed in northeast Scotland on Wednesday, with reports of "serious injuries" in what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described as "an extremely serious incident".</p>.<p>The crash, close to the town of Stonehaven around 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Aberdeen, followed severe flooding across parts of the region overnight.</p>.<p>Smoke could be seen rising from the scene in pictures broadcast on television news channels.</p>.<p>There was no immediate word on the precise number of casualties.</p>.<p>"The emergency services are currently on site and a major incident has been declared," Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament.</p>.<p>"I am afraid to say that there are early reports of serious injuries," she added, after earlier noting on Twitter it was an "extremely serious incident".</p>.<p>Some 30 emergency vehicles were attending the scene of the derailment which happened at 9:40am (08:40 GMT).</p>.<p>Union TSSA said the train was the 06:38 (05:38 GMT) service travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow.</p>.<p>Sturgeon added that the incident happened in an area where it was difficult for emergency services to access.</p>.<p>British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected. My thanks to the emergency services at the scene."</p>.<p>Thunderstorms and torrential rain battered parts of central and eastern Scotland overnight, creating hazardous travelling conditions.</p>.<p>Photos posted on social media by local authorities showed heavy flooding in the nearby town of Stonehaven early Wednesday.</p>.<p>Network Rail Scotland, the company which looks after the rail infrastructure, said it was working alongside emergency services.</p>.<p>"It is too early to confirm the exact nature and severity of the incident and more details will be made available once known," it said.</p>.<p>Moments after the emergency services had been notified of the accident, Network Rail reported there had been a landslip close by.</p>.<p>The local arm of Britain's National Health Service said it was setting up "major incident support" in Aberdeen for relatives and friends of anyone involved in the incident.</p>.<p>The BBC reported that one casualty was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.</p>.<p>Local MP Andrew Bowie said a "major emergency service response" was underway and he had spoken to the British transport minister, Grant Shapps, about the incident.</p>.<p>Shapps added on Twitter that he was in touch with Network Rail and other agencies and vowed "the UK Government will provide every support".</p>.<p>Britain's last major rail derailment was in 2007 in Cumbria, in northwest England, when a train on the main west coast line left the tracks, killing one passenger and seriously injuring 30 others.</p>
<p>A passenger train derailed in northeast Scotland on Wednesday, with reports of "serious injuries" in what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described as "an extremely serious incident".</p>.<p>The crash, close to the town of Stonehaven around 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Aberdeen, followed severe flooding across parts of the region overnight.</p>.<p>Smoke could be seen rising from the scene in pictures broadcast on television news channels.</p>.<p>There was no immediate word on the precise number of casualties.</p>.<p>"The emergency services are currently on site and a major incident has been declared," Sturgeon told the Scottish parliament.</p>.<p>"I am afraid to say that there are early reports of serious injuries," she added, after earlier noting on Twitter it was an "extremely serious incident".</p>.<p>Some 30 emergency vehicles were attending the scene of the derailment which happened at 9:40am (08:40 GMT).</p>.<p>Union TSSA said the train was the 06:38 (05:38 GMT) service travelling from Aberdeen to Glasgow.</p>.<p>Sturgeon added that the incident happened in an area where it was difficult for emergency services to access.</p>.<p>British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I am saddened to learn of the very serious incident in Aberdeenshire and my thoughts are with all of those affected. My thanks to the emergency services at the scene."</p>.<p>Thunderstorms and torrential rain battered parts of central and eastern Scotland overnight, creating hazardous travelling conditions.</p>.<p>Photos posted on social media by local authorities showed heavy flooding in the nearby town of Stonehaven early Wednesday.</p>.<p>Network Rail Scotland, the company which looks after the rail infrastructure, said it was working alongside emergency services.</p>.<p>"It is too early to confirm the exact nature and severity of the incident and more details will be made available once known," it said.</p>.<p>Moments after the emergency services had been notified of the accident, Network Rail reported there had been a landslip close by.</p>.<p>The local arm of Britain's National Health Service said it was setting up "major incident support" in Aberdeen for relatives and friends of anyone involved in the incident.</p>.<p>The BBC reported that one casualty was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.</p>.<p>Local MP Andrew Bowie said a "major emergency service response" was underway and he had spoken to the British transport minister, Grant Shapps, about the incident.</p>.<p>Shapps added on Twitter that he was in touch with Network Rail and other agencies and vowed "the UK Government will provide every support".</p>.<p>Britain's last major rail derailment was in 2007 in Cumbria, in northwest England, when a train on the main west coast line left the tracks, killing one passenger and seriously injuring 30 others.</p>