"Five persons have been killed and 30 others are injured when the train, travelling from Hubli to Bangalore, collided with a goods train at Penneconda station at around 3.15 AM," a Railway Spokesperson said.
The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals.
Three bogies, one SLR and two ordinary second class coaches, were derailed due to the collision. One of the coaches also caught fire.
The fire has been brought under control and rescue and relief operations were going on, he said.
"The reason of the accident is yet to be ascertained but prima facie it seems that the driver of Hampi Express overshot the signal," the spokesperson said, adding senior railway officials have rushed to the spot.