Two passenger trains collided in central China Monday morning, leaving at least three people dead and 60 injured. [Photo: CFP]

The accident delayed several trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou line. Two trains were cancelled, said a staff with the Guangzhou railway station.

Many people picking up their relatives from Hunan were waiting on a square of the railway station in rain.

"My boy from Shaoyang (of Hunan) is supposed to arrive at 8 a.m., but it is nearly 4 p.m. now, the train still hasn't come and I lost contact with him," said someone anxiously.

Railways Minister Liu Zhijun has gone to Chenzhou, 300 kilometers from Changsha, capital of Hunan, to oversee the rescue work.

A task force by the ministry and the Guangzhou Railway Group is set up to investigate into the cause of the accident.

A fatal train collision happened on April 28 last year in east China's Shandong Province when two passenger trains collided, leaving 72 dead and 416 injured. The railway was interrupted for more than 21 hours.

Investigation showed the Shandong accident was caused by speeding. Minister Liu was given a demerit by the State Council as a discipline punishment.