At least four people are reported to be dead after a cargo train derailed and exploded in Bulgaria on Saturday (10 December).

According to reports, the cargo train carrying propane-butane hit a power line, causing a blast which destroyed 20 buildings in the northeastern Bulgarian village of Hitrino and trapped 12 people in the rubble.

Officials confirmed that 25 people were sent to hospital with injuries and burns.

"The explosion has also caused a fire. We do not expect a second blast, but the people from the village are being evacuated," Nikolai Nikolov, head of fire safety and civil defence at the police was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Some 150 firefighters are reported to be deployed on the explosion site to douse off the fire. Police are searching for more survivors.