Two trains have collided head-on on a level crossing north west of Copenhagen, leaving five people critically hurt and 13 others with less serious injuries, medical officials say.
The trains were travelling early on Thursday on a line linking the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup in the North Zealand area of north-east Denmark, with a total of 37 people on board, according to police.
Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department was unable to say what led to the crash but told Danish TV that all the injured had been taken to hospital by air or by ambulance.
Local mayor Trine Egetved said she was deeply shaken by the accident. She remarked, The local track is used by many Gribskov residents, workers, and students, indicating the personal impact of the tragedy on the community.
Images broadcasted showed two yellow and grey trains seriously damaged and facing each other in a wooded area. The collision occurred at 06:29 local time and fire and rescue teams were alerted immediately.
Those with critical injuries were flown to the National Hospital in Copenhagen, and Egetved emphasized the need to ensure such an accident never happens again.
Denmark's Accident Investigation Board arrived at the scene to investigate, with Inspector Morten Pedersen stating it was too early to determine the cause of the collision. Investigators are considering various possibilities related to signaling failures or human error.
Claus Pedersson, safety director at Lokaltog, described the incident as one of the worst we can imagine in the railway industry and highlighted the ongoing data collection to ascertain the root cause.
Although rail accidents are rare in Denmark, experts suggest that one of the train drivers could have inadvertently overridden a stop signal, while the local line might lack an upgraded automated safety system. The investigation continues, and officials stress the importance of learning from such incidents.
