MANY people have been injured after a passenger train derailed and overturned in southern Denmark.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the train, heading to Sønderborg, collided with a lorry at a level crossing between Tinglev and Kliplev.

Police in the Southern Jutland region said on X: “We are present at a train accident with several injured people near Tinglev.

“We need peace and quiet at the scene and unauthorised persons must stay away from the scene.”

“We will announce further information via press releases as soon as possible,” they added.

Local outlet Jydske Vestkysten reported that several passengers — including around 20 children — were escorted from the wreckage. 

It is still unclear exactly how many people were hurt or what caused the derailment.

Danish rail authority Banedanmark have sent an investigation team to determine the cause of the crash.

Banedanmark also told local outlet BT there are “many injured” in the incident, which has been described by a Fire and Rescue South Jutland response leader as “a major disaster.”

The Copenhagen-to-Sønderborg service, which was travelling via Fredericia, came off the tracks close to Denmark’s border with Germany.

Police are using dogs and drones in their investigation as officers say they are “massively present” in the area.

Traffic data from Flightradar also shows two medical helicopters from Aarhus flew over the crash site before leaving the area.

Railway operator DSB said all journeys on the route have been halted and there will be no trains on the stretch for the rest of Friday or all of Saturday.

Andreas Hald, press manager at Banedanmark, said: “We have received reports that a train has derailed between Kliplev and Tinglev.”

“We are working on getting train buses to run on the route,” DSB added.

Shocked residents described hearing and smelling the aftermath of the crash.

Johnny Balling Nielsen, a resident near the scene, told BT: “We heard a bang.

“Shortly after, we could smell a strange, metallic smell. We can hear all the sirens and what’s going on.”

A couple on board the train told Jydske Vestkysten: “The train just overturned and then we had to climb out. We do not know what has happened.”

Passengers and residents have been urged to follow official updates for the latest on safety and travel disruption.