A catastrophic collision between a passenger train and a slurry tanker at a level crossing near Tinglev, southern Denmark, on Friday afternoon left one person dead and approximately 20 others injured. The Copenhagen-to-Sønderborg train, operated by DSB with about 95 passengers, derailed in a violent crash that sent carriages overturning, shocking the quiet South Jutland region.

Emergency services swarmed the scene, deploying drones, search dogs, and medical helicopters to evacuate the injured, two of whom were airlifted to a hospital in Flensburg, Germany. Photos revealed twisted metal and overturned carriages, with passengers, including around 20 children from a Sønderborg school, escorted from the wreckage. “We heard a bang and smelled something metallic,” said local resident Johnny Balling Nielsen, describing the chaos to BT.

Banedanmark, Denmark’s rail network operator, confirmed the accident occurred at a level crossing, labeling it a “major catastrophe.” The crash halted all train services between Tinglev and Sønderborg, with DSB arranging replacement buses. Authorities, using drones and dogs, are investigating the cause, with initial reports suggesting the tanker was on the tracks when struck.

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The incident has reignited concerns about level crossing safety, with experts calling for automated barriers and advanced detection systems. “This tragedy highlights vulnerabilities in rural crossings,” said a Banedanmark spokesperson. As investigations continue, the community mourns, and passengers like Anna Larsen, who climbed out of the wreckage, shared, “It was terrifying; we didn’t know what happened.”

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