Russian television described scenes of chaos and panic on the capital city's famed system, saying passengers fell like dominoes when the train braked abruptly and three carriages derailed.
Rescue teams were combing through the mangled metal carriages in an attempt to extricate several bodies.
President Vladimir Putin, who is on a trip to Brazil, ordered a criminal probe into the tragedy that put a huge strain on the city of some 12 million and snarled traffic on its notoriously clogged roads amid a heat wave.
Sirens wailed as dozens of ambulances rushed to help treat the wounded and helicopters buzzed overhead to evacuate those with the most serious injuries, AFP journalists said at the scene outside the deep Park Pobedy metro station in western Moscow.
More than 160 people were hospitalized, including 42 still in intensive care, the head of Moscow's health department Georgy Golukhov told journalists.
At least two foreign nationals - a Tajik and a Chinese - were among the dead, Golukhov said.
"This is a huge catastrophe for us," Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said in televised remarks.
- The accident raised calls for urgent improvements to the ornate but overcrowded metro, which first opened in 1935 under Stalin.
"I thought it was the end," one passenger said. "We were trapped and only got out through a miracle."
Authorities said it would take 24 hours to deal with the aftermath of the accident.
Citing preliminary information, the Investigative Committee said it was looking at a number of possible causes including a mechanical flaw with a carriage and a power failure.
A terror attack has been ruled out, the committee said.
Sources: AFP - globaltimes.cn
15/7/14
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