Two local trains collided head-on at a railway crossing northwest of Copenhagen, Denmark, injuring at least 17 people, including 4 critically. Officials responding to the scene initially suspect that the safety system was not automated.
Danish emergency responders and police reported a severe head-on collision between two local trains on the route connecting Hillerød and Græsted on the northern part of Zealand island early this morning local time (23 Apr).
Footage from Denmark’s DR television showed two yellow and gray trains stationary, facing each other with severely damaged fronts in a forested area. Firefighters and rescue teams said they received the call around 06:30 and had to deploy ambulances and medical helicopters urgently to evacuate the injured.
Rescue teams confirmed a total of 17 injured, with 4 in critical condition airlifted by helicopter to Copenhagen’s National Hospital. The remaining 13 were transported to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed no passengers were trapped inside the trains following the accident.
Trine Egetved, mayor of Gribskov Municipality, expressed shock at the incident, noting this route is a main corridor regularly used by students and workers.
Rail experts suggested the cause may be that one train driver passed a stop signal, entering the same track as the other train. Additionally, the Gribskov line has yet to be equipped with a modern automated safety system.
Although Denmark generally maintains excellent railway safety records, this recent accident raises concerns. In 2019, a major train crash caused eight fatalities, and last year a high-speed train collided with a farm truck, resulting in one death.
Authorities have temporarily suspended services on the affected route and plan to establish an investigative committee to determine the exact cause and prevent future incidents.