An interim report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is expected this week.
The transport secretary said: “While I completely understand the strength of feeling out there, while I hear the clamour for answers, for the need to understand the cause of this tragedy, I must ask everyone for some patience, as hard as I know that will be.
“I am determined we get all the answers we’re looking for, and that lessons are learned.
“The RAIB, whose inspectors were on the scene within hours, have already launched an independent investigation, and they have confirmed there will be an update in the coming days.
“They, and they alone, will identify the cause and will make recommendations, which I will consider with the utmost care and due diligence.
“Meanwhile, I urge everyone to await their findings and to hold off on speculation.”
Investigators are are likely to be focusing on a range of potential factors including the signalling system, which should prevent trains being on the same stretch of track at the same time, a system in the train cab which warns if signals are missed, the brakes on the trains, and the actions of the drivers.
The railway is likely to remain closed for the rest of the week, with one train an hour from Bedford to each of Sheffield, Nottingham and Corby.
Rail replacement buses have been put in place between Bedford and Luton.
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