ONE person has been killed and 16 others injured after a passenger train smashed into a lorry at a level crossing and derailed in southern Denmark.

The crash sent one carriage tearing off the train and toppling onto its side, according to local media.

Police said 95 people were on board when the Copenhagen-to-Sønderborg service struck the vehicle near Tinglev on Friday afternoon.

Of those, one passenger died and several were injured — with two airlifted from the scene.

The collision happened at a road crossing, national rail infrastructure authority Banedanmark said on X.

Denmark’s state-owned national railway service, DSB, has indefinitely suspended all train services between Kliplev and Tinglev, which is close to the border with Germany.

Police in the Southern Jutland region earlier 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. 

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

Banedanmark informed local news outlet BT that the incident resulted in “many injuries” and was labeled as “a major disaster” by a Fire and Rescue South Jutland leader.

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.

DSB has announced that train services on this route are halted, with no trains operating on Friday and throughout 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.