Two local trains collided head-on in Denmark on Thursday, injuring at least 17 people, five of whom were in a critical condition, the emergency service told Reuters.

Two yellow and grey trains were seen at the site, both with visible damage to the front and facing each other in a wooded area, with rescue services describing "chaotic" scenes inside the carriages.

"The two trains collided head-on, causing large damage to them and sending broken glass flying everywhere," fire and rescue service leader Christoffer Buhl Martekilde told reporters.

Rescue workers stand near two trains that collided between the towns of Hillerod and Kagerup, north of Copenhagen, leaving many injured, on April 23, 2026.
Rescue workers stand near two trains that collided between the towns of Hillerod and Kagerup, north of Copenhagen, leaving many injured, on April 23, 2026. (credit: Steven Knap / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP via Getty Images)

A police spokesperson said it was too early to say what had caused the crash, adding there would be an extensive investigation.

Injuries among the passengers

A total of 38 people are believed to have been on board the two trains at the time of the crash, which occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m., the police said.

The incident happened on a train line linking the towns of Hillerod and Kagerup, police said.

"There are injuries among the passengers. Everyone is out of the trains, so no one is trapped... Large resources have been dispatched to the scene," a spokesperson told Reuters earlier.

The injured have since been transported away from the scene of the accident in ambulances and helicopters, the fire department said on X.