EUROSTAR services between London and Brussels have been suspended after a head-on collision between two domestic SNCB trains near Brussels during this morning's rush hour, at 08.30 local time (07.30 GMT). It's thought that one of the two drivers had passed a red signal.

Reports of the number of fatalities vary, but it's now been confirmed that 18 people died in the crash, which was at Buizingen, near Halle, 15km south west of Brussels. It's feared that the death toll could rise. The commuter trains were busy, and it's been reported that another 150 people were injured in some way. Overhead lines at the crash scene were also badly damaged when the trains were forced upwards by the impact.

The Belgian track operator Infrabel said an investigation into the accident, which occurred in snowy conditions, had started at once. "The devastation is enormous," Infrabel spokesman Bram De Saedeleer told the BBC. "Officials of the public prosecutor's office are at the scene and will supervise the investigation. Our first concern is for the victims."

Rescue operations were being carried out with difficulty today. Some of the coaches overturned after the crash, and snow has continued to fall.

Eurostar, which is still recovering from the major disruption which affected its trains in the Channel Tunnel before Christmas, said: “The accident occurred where the domestic commuter lines and high-speed lines meet. This means that Eurostar services and other rail services, including Thalys, are unable to operate until further notice.” The company has now confirmed that there will be no Eurostar service to Brussels tomorrow (Tuesday).

An emergency Eurostar timetable is in operation between London and Lille. Replacement buses are running between Lille and Brussels, and Eurostar tickets are also being accepted on domestic rail services between Lille and Brussels, but Eurostar is warning that these are expected to be ‘extremely congested‘ with TGV and Thalys passengers, and is urging its passengers from Britain to Belgium not to attempt to travel for the time being.

Domestic Belgian train services have also been affected by the blockage of the line, with no trains running between Brussels and Tournai or Mons. Other services running south from Brussels are also being disrupted.

Although Eurostar services to Lille have been reduced, trains between London and the Paris area are operating normally.