Monday afternoon, many cars of an Amtrak train heading from Los Angeles to Chicago derailed after colliding with a dump truck at a crossing in northern Missouri, according to Amtrak.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, more than 200 people were on board the train when it derailed near Mendon, Missouri, at 12:43 p.m.

The patrol reported that two passengers on the train and one person in the dump truck perished in the collision. A spokesperson with the patrol stated that the overall number of injured was unknown, but as of 7:00 p.m., hospitals in Missouri had counted at least 51 patients.

Southwest Chief Train 4 was identified as the train. Mendon is located approximately 100 miles north of Kansas City.

The wrecked train's passengers were transported to the gymnasium of Northwestern High School in Mendon, where snacks and food were placed on folding tables.

Some passengers waited on bleachers and others at tables across from one another as police, nurses, and paramedics moved about hours after the incident. Others from the community walked with the survivors while praying.

Those who escaped damage wore small pieces of masking tape to indicate that they did not need immediate medical care. A number of the travelers assembled at the school were from Kansas City, while others came from all across the country.

"Tragic loss of life"

Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation for the United States, wrote a message on Twitter regarding the Missouri incident and another train accident that killed three people on Sunday in Northern California.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and injuries in today's Missouri train derailment and the weekend collision in Northern California," Buttigieg stated. "I have been kept informed, and my team is in contact with Amtrak and the appropriate authorities. FRA personnel are en way to Missouri to assist with the investigation."

Speaker of the U.S. House Nancy Pelosi also issued a message, stating:

Pelosi commented, "My heart goes out to everyone affected by today's tragic train derailment in Missouri."

While no words can console those who have lost loved ones, may the prayers of so many Americans on this awful day console them.