A German magnetic levitation train has crashed at high speed into a maintenance vehicle in north-western Germany.

The train was travelling at close to 200km/h (120 mph) when it hit the vehicle, and was left hanging from the rail.

Emergency workers tried to rescue passengers from the train, but were hindered by it balancing on the elevated track.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel quickly headed to visit the crash site, where she said the whole nation was in mourning.

Wreckage of the maglev train, which floats above a rail and can reach speeds of 450km/h (280mph), was scattered around the impact zone.

Heavy-duty equipment was brought to the scene, as efforts to move the stricken train continued.