Human error caused a train accident in which 29 people were injured in East London, Eastern Cape, Metrorail said on Friday.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident was a result of human error on the part of personnel responsible for train control," spokesman Lawrence Venkile said in a statement.

"A Transnet train control officer admitted a train into a platform that was already occupied by a stationary train with passengers on board."

Fourteen coaches and two locomotives were damaged during the collision at the East London railway station on Thursday.

Transnet Freight Rail was responsible for control of train movements in the area.

"Train services have resumed and all the injured passengers were released from hospital yesterday [Thursday]. There were no critical injuries."

The investigation was continuing.