Malaysian police confirmed today that all 200 passengers on board a train which collided with a fuel tanker the previous day have been accounted for, while two remain in hospital.

Fire and rescue officers began searching early today for 34 people missing after a passenger train with 200 people on board hit a tanker carrying 27,000 litres of petrol late yesterday in Sabah.

“All 200 are now accounted for and two are in hospital,” a police spokesperson from the state capital Kota Kinabalu said after search officials scoured the wreckage for hours looking for survivors.

The officer said the previously unaccounted for passengers had in fact gone home without informing authorities.

The collision, which occurred in front of Kota Kinabalu International Aiport, caused a massive explosion and fire, injuring 12 people.

Royal Dutch Shell, which owns the fuel tanker, said company officials were working with the authorities to determine the cause of the accident, The Star newspaper reported.

Sabah chief minister Musa Aman said a full investigation into the incident has been launched.

“I am thankful there are no fatalities. Nonetheless, I want the relevant authorities, including the Railway Department and Shell, to carry out a thorough investigation on the accident,” he said in a statement carried by the daily.

Earlier reports said the tanker was being driven across an unofficial railway crossing when it collided with the train.

- dpa