At least 3 people are dead after a train in Scotland derailed and caught fire

• Three people died when a trail in northeast Scotland derailed on Wednesday morning, including the driver.
• The train left the track near the town of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, not long before 10 a.m. local time.
• Details are still emerging of what happened. The BBC reported that the train may have derailed after encountering a landslide and toppling down an embankment.
• Scotland's first minister said the scene of the derailing is difficult to access, complicating the rescue efforts.
• The region had been hit by heavy rainfall the previous day, disrupting much of the rail network.

At least three people are dead after a train derailed in Scotland on Wednesday morning, including the train's driver.

The British Transport police said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that three people had been killed.

It said: "Very sadly despite the best efforts of paramedics, we can confirm that three people have been pronounced dead at the scene."

"While formal identification is yet to take place, the driver of the train is very sadly believed to have died. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained family liaison officers."

The British Transport Police said that six other people were injured, though not seriously.

It is not clear how many people were on the train before it derailed.

Eddie Wylie, the British Transport Police's chief superintendent, said "I would like to reassure the public that this was not a busy service, and from CCTV enquiries and witness statements we believe all passengers have been accounted for."

He said a full search would still take place.

Photo and video footage from the scene showed smoke rising from the train.

The BBC reported that the train's locomotive and three of its carriages may have left the track and slid down an embankment.

It cited sources that said the train stopped due to flooding on the line, and was then approved to switch to clearer tracks and continue. But, the BBC said, it then hit a landslide and derailed.

Those details have not been confirmed.

The train derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, said the incident happened in a "very difficult location for emergency services to access."

The British Transport Police said that its officers were called at 9.43 a.m., and were working with the ambulance service, police, and fire brigade.

Heavy rainfall had disrupted Scotland's railways throughout the day, forcing almost 200 train journeys to be canceled on Wednesday morning.

The British Transport Police warned earlier on Wednesday that the rain had caused "significant disruption" and would cause delays.

Network Rail Scotland had shared footage of flooded tracks in the country:

—Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 12, 2020

—Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 12, 2020