Dhaka  - At least 17 people were killed and 30 other injured Wednesday as a speeding train slammed into a bus on a level crossing in central Bangladesh, local police and witnesses said.

Rescuers said the death toll in the train-bus collision near the farming town of Elenga in central Tangail district would rise as the condition of many of the wounded was critical.

The intercity Ekota Express was traveling from the northern city of Dinajpur and was headed for the capital Dhaka, railway officials said.

Police said the bus was carrying mostly holiday makers from local villages. (dpa)