A devastating Metrorail train crash in Washington, D.C. on Monday afternoon has killed six people and injured scores more. Fire chief Dennis Rubin said at least 76 people were treated for minor injuries.

The trash took place around 5pm EDT when a train waiting for a track to clear was rammed from behind from a trailing train.

Cars of both trains were ripped open and smashed together in the worst accident in the Metrorail system’s 33-year history. Washington fire spokesman Alan Etter said crews had to cut some people out of what he described as a “mass casualty event.” Rescue workers propped steel ladders up to the upper train cars to help survivors scramble to safety. Seats from the smashed cars spilled out onto the track.

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said six were confirmed dead. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin said rescue workers treated 76 people at the scene and sent some of them to local hospitals, six with critical injuries. A search for further victims continued into the night.

The crash took place on the red line near the D.C./Maryland border.  Victims of the crash and eye witnesses say there was no real panic and that everyone for the most part was calm and cooperative with first response units.