At least three people were killed and around 50 others were injured when an Amtrak train travelling between Seattle and Chicago derailed Saturday afternoon in the U.S. state of Montana, according to local media outlets.

The train had about 147 passengers and 13 crew members onboard, the reports noted. 

The Empire Builder train derailed at around 4:00 p.m. local time, according to the Associated Press citing Amtrak spokesman Jason Abrams. 

"Amtrak was working with the local authorities to transport injured passengers and safely evacuate all other passengers," the spokesman added.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it will investigate the derailment.

"The NTSB is launching a go-team to investigate Saturday's derailment of Amtrak's Empire Builder train near Joplin, Montana. Team will be based in Great Falls, Montana," read the NTSB's statement on Twitter.