JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Death toll has risen to 12 in the train crash in South Africa's Free State on Thursday morning.

Free State health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi told local media that they had confirmed 12 deaths so far while rescuers were still searching three burnt-out carriages for more bodies.

One Shosholoza Meyl train derailed between Hennenman and Kroonstad when hit by a truck. There were about 700 passengers on the train when the accident happened. Passenger Seipati Moletsane told eNCA.com that the train was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg when the truck could not brake and hit the first and second carriage.

Firefighters and medical services rushed to the scene to help the injured. Footage by passengers from the scene shows a number of carriages laid on the ground and engulfed in flames.

Russel Meiring, spokesperson of emergency service ER24, said at least 100 people were injured.