At least 51 people died when a passenger train carrying 490 passengers derailed in a tunnel in Eastern Taiwan. 

According to the CNA, the state-owned media of Taiwan, an eight-car Train to Taitung derailed in a tunnel just north of Hualien on Friday morning. 

At least 66 survivors are being treated in several hospitals in the Hualien region, CNA cited fire department official.

The train driver is said to be among the dead. The government said some of the dead are still waiting for identification.

Authorities believe everyone trapped inside the heavily damaged carriage has been removed.

The derailment is suspected to have been caused by a vehicle that slipped from the slope near the tunnel and hit the moving train, the CNA reported. 

At least 156 people were injured in the crash, according to a local government official. The official added it is believed that no one is left to be rescued inside the train. However, the rescue operation is continued to see if anyone has been left.

"In response to a train derailment in Hualien, Taiwan, our emergency services have been fully mobilized to rescue & assist the passengers & railway staff affected," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Twitter.

"We will continue to do everything we can to ensure their safety in the wake of this heartbreaking incident," he added.

The accident coincided just as a long weekend kicked off for the Tomb Sweeping Day public holiday.