Two trains collide head-on in Denmark in incident rail safety chief calls unacceptable

A serious train collision occurred Thursday morning on a single-track railway in North Zealand, Denmark, after two local trains crashed head-on, leaving 18 people injured, five critically. The rail operator’s safety chief called the incident inexplicable, stating it “should not be able to happen,” Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The crash took place on the Gribskov Line between Hillerød and Kagerup, where only one track serves trains traveling in both directions. Claus René Pedersson, safety chief at Lokaltog, which operates the line, confirmed that while single-track railways require careful coordination, the collision defied existing safety protocols.

“We do everything in our daily work to prevent this—through signal systems and driver training,” Pedersson said. “This is not something we could have imagined. In my 25 years in the industry, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Denmark’s Accident Investigation Board is examining technical evidence, including signal systems, track conditions, and human factors. Unit chief Klaus Jensen described the probe as “very extensive,” with data collection and interviews expected to continue through Thursday night.

“Trains should not normally receive signals allowing them to move toward each other on the same track,” Jensen noted, adding that no prior issues with the signaling system were known.

Eighteen people were injured, including train staff. Five remain in critical condition after being transported to Copenhagen’s Rigshospitalet. The collision was reported at 6:29 AM local time.

Pedersson expressed distress over the incident, particularly the injuries to employees and passengers. “I don’t feel very well,” he said. “We’re focused on what we can do to support those affected.”