A small train in Taiwan's Ali Mountain area overturned on Wednesday.

A small train overturned in Taiwan's Ali Mountain area on Wednesday, killing at least five tourists and injuring more than 100 as of 11:00 p.m. local time.

The deceased, all female, were confirmed to be mainland tourists from tour groups, according to Taiwan authorities.

Sources with the Chiayi fire department say a tree branch had broken and fallen over the railway line, which hit the last carriage and then caused several carriages to overturn.

"There was a loud clattering sound, and we thought it was an earthquake. But later we knew that huge tree branches smashed into a carriage," recalled Chen Zhenbin, 58, from the Wenzhou city in eastern Zhejiang Province, after being sent to the St. Martin De Porres Hospital in Chiayi.

Chen told Xinhua that he and his two sisters were sitting in the eighth carriage when the accident happened.

"The sixth, seventh and eighth carriages were overturned, but our carriage was stopped by the trees at the side of the road and didn't roll too far," Chen said, adding that the three of the passengers later climbed out of the upside-down carriage.

"I heard tourists in the sixth and seventh carriages shouting for help. We went there quickly and helped pull people out. But still, some were crushed under the carriage and didn't stand a chance," Chen said.