Two passenger trains have collided head-on at a level crossing north-west of Copenhagen, leaving five people critically injured and 13 others with minor injuries, according to medical officials and police.
The accident occurred early Thursday morning on a railway line connecting Hillerød and Kagerup in the North Zealand region. Authorities confirmed that 37 passengers were on board at the time of the crash.
Emergency services, including fire and rescue teams, were immediately deployed after the collision at around 06:29 local time (05:29 BST). All injured passengers were transported to hospital by ambulance or airlift.
Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department said the exact cause of the crash is still unknown, while police confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
Footage from Danish public broadcaster DR showed two yellow-and-grey trains with significant damage to their front sections, positioned face-to-face in a wooded area near the track.
Local mayor Trine Egetved described the incident as deeply shocking, noting that the line is widely used by residents, workers, and students in the Gribskov municipality.
“We must ensure it never happens again,” she said.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also expressed her concern, saying she was “very touched by the terrible train accident.”
Denmark’s Accident Investigation Board has begun a full inquiry into the crash, working alongside police to determine what went wrong. Investigators say all possible causes are being considered, including signalling system failure or human error.
Rail operator Lokaltog described the incident as “one of the worst we can imagine in the railway industry.” Safety director Claus Pedersson said authorities are currently collecting data to establish the cause and learn from the tragedy.
Initial reports suggest that one train driver applied emergency brakes and assisted passengers during evacuation efforts.
Rail accidents are rare in Denmark, but experts have suggested that a signalling or safety system failure may have contributed to the collision. Investigations are ongoing.
