Two trains collided head-on at a level crossing northwest of Copenhagen, resulting in four individuals suffering critical injuries and 11 others requiring hospital treatment, according to officials.
The trains were operating on a line that connects the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup in the North Zealand region of northeast Denmark.
Tim Ole Simonsen from the Greater Copenhagen fire department could not confirm the cause of the crash but reported to Danish TV that all injured passengers were transported to hospitals via air and ambulance.
Local mayor Trine Egetved expressed her deep shock over the incident.
Public broadcaster DR aired images depicting two yellow and grey trains, both showing significant front-end damage, situated in a wooded area.
Frederiksborg Fire and Rescue reported that they received alerts about the accident around 06:30 local time (05:30 BST) on Thursday.
Egetved, the mayor of Gribskov municipality, noted that those with critical injuries had been airlifted to the National Hospital in Copenhagen. She emphasized the importance of the local track, stating, “The local track is used by many Gribskov residents, workers, and students,” in a Facebook post.
Rail accidents are uncommon in Denmark, and one expert suggested that a train driver may have inadvertently overridden a stop signal while departing a local station. It appears that the Gribskov line lacks an updated automated safety system.
Trine Egetved conveyed her concern to public broadcaster DR, stating, “It is shocking that two trains could collide head-on, and we must ensure it never happens again.”
