Train accident on bridge in Danish islands leaves six dead and 16 injured

Ellen Manning

Six people have been killed and 16 injured in a train accident on a bridge between two Danish islands.

The victims were on a passenger train that was involved in the incident along with a freight train believed to be carrying beer.

The crash happened on the Storebaelt bridge which links the central islands of Zealand and Funen at around 8am on Wednesday.

<em>Accident – it has not yet been confirmed how many people died after an accident involving a freight train and a passenger train on a bridge in Denmark (Picture: Reuters)</em>
Accident – it has not yet been confirmed how many people died after an accident involving a freight train and a passenger train on a bridge in Denmark (Picture: Reuters)
<em>Media reports said objects from the freight train had hit the passenger train (Picture: Reuters)</em>
Media reports said objects from the freight train had hit the passenger train (Picture: Reuters)
<em>Police said the passenger train “hit an unknown object” (Picture: PA)</em>
Police said the passenger train “hit an unknown object” (Picture: PA)

Police spokesman Arne Gram said the passenger train “hit an unknown object” but did not comment further.

In a statement, police urged passengers to contact next of kin to inform them of their safety and urged people not to share photos and videos of the accident.

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The passenger train had departed from the city of Odense on the central island of Fyn and was heading to Copenhagen.

Denmark’s TV2 showed images of the freight train with the tarpaulin that covered the train torn in pieces.

<em>The accident happened on a road-and-rail bridge between two major Danish islands (Picture: PA)</em>
The accident happened on a road-and-rail bridge between two major Danish islands (Picture: PA)
<em>A train accident on a bridge in Denmark has left several people dead (Picture: PA)</em>
A train accident on a bridge in Denmark has left several people dead (Picture: PA)

Rescue efforts on Wednesday were being hampered by a a severe storm, with severe winds closing the crossing to cars early on Wednesday.

The transport system, which consists of a road suspension bridge and a railway tunnel, was closed to cars overnight because of strong winds but trains could pass.

Road traffic later resumed, but with a 50kph (31mph) speed limit.

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