17 Injured as Local Trains Collide Head-On in North Zealand

​HILLERØD, Denmark — A major rescue operation was launched in North Zealand early Thursday morning after two local trains collided head-on near a level crossing, leaving five people in critical condition.

​The collision occurred at approximately 6:29 AM local time on the Gribskov line, a rural rail stretch connecting the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup, roughly 40 kilometers northwest of Copenhagen. Emergency services confirmed that 38 people were on board the two services at the time of impact.

​While initial reports cited four critical injuries, officials updated the figure to five later in the morning. An additional 12 passengers sustained minor injuries. Those with life-threatening wounds were evacuated by helicopter to the National Hospital (Rigshospitalet) in Copenhagen, while others were transported by ambulance to local trauma centers.

​The Scene at Gribskov

​Aerial footage and images from the scene show the two yellow-and-grey locomotives locked together in a heavily wooded area. The impact caused significant crushing to the front cabs of both trains, though neither derailed.

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​”Everyone has been evacuated from the carriages; no one remains trapped,” a spokesperson for the North Zealand Police confirmed. “Large-scale resources, including fire crews and specialized medical teams, remain on-site.”

​Trine Egetved, Mayor of the Gribskov municipality, expressed her shock over the incident, noting that the line is a vital artery for the community. “This track is used daily by our residents, workers, and students,” Egetved wrote in a statement. “It is deeply upsetting, and we must ensure such an event never happens again.”

​Investigation Underway

​Denmark’s Accident Investigation Board arrived at the wreckage by mid-morning to begin a forensic analysis. While North Zealand Police Inspector Morten Pedersen stated it is “far too early” to determine the cause, rail experts have already pointed toward potential infrastructure gaps.

​The Gribskov line is one of the few remaining local routes in Denmark not yet equipped with an automated safety system (ATC), which typically prevents collisions by automatically applying brakes if a train passes a stop signal. Preliminary theories suggest one driver may have inadvertently entered a single-track section while a service was approaching from the opposite direction.

​Rail accidents are notably rare in Denmark. The country’s last major rail tragedy occurred in 2019 on the Great Belt Bridge, which claimed eight lives.