ROME, June 30 (RIA Novosti) - At least thirteen people have died and around 50 have been injured in a gas explosion at a railway station in northern Italy, local media said on Tuesday citing local officials.

The powerful blast occurred at midnight in the town of Viareggio when a freight train carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) derailed and two carriages exploded. The train comprised 14 carriages.

The blast caused a fireball which engulfed nearby homes, destroying at least two houses, ANSA reported. The area has been evacuated.

Among the dead are two drivers, while a further seven people died in their homes and another in hospital. Around 50 others were hurt, 35 of them seriously, the agency said.

The head of the province of Lucca, Stefano Baccelli, said a special headquarters has been set up to control the emergency operation.

Around 300 firefighters were called in to tackle the blaze and the clean up operation.