A train accident in Denmark on 15 August 2025 at 16:46 local time left one woman dead and more than 25 others injured after a passenger train collided with a slurry tanker at a level crossing in Southern Jutland.
Police confirmed that a 60-year-old woman died, while five people were seriously injured, including two in critical condition, and at least 22 others sustained minor injuries among the 106 passengers on board.
Train accident in Denmark at unprotected level crossing
The collision happened near Bjerndrup, between Kliplev and Tinglev, on a single-track railway line without protective barriers. The DSB train was travelling from Copenhagen to Sønderborg when it struck the agricultural vehicle, causing several carriages to derail. The accident triggered an immediate large-scale emergency response.
German ambulances assist after Southern Jutland train crash
Among the passengers was a class of 25 schoolchildren from Sønderborg. None sustained serious injuries, but several were taken to hospital for observation. Emergency services deployed drones, dogs and heavy machinery to secure the site, while German ambulances assisted Danish rescue teams due to the proximity of the border.
Local residents also offered help, with a couple opening their community hall for survivors and relatives.
Recurring railway accidents heighten safety concerns
This stretch of railway has a troubling record. Just six weeks earlier, another fatal accident occurred at a nearby level crossing without barriers, and eight years ago a train collided with a tractor in the same area
. The Danish Railway Union (Dansk Jernbaneforbund) expressed frustration, noting that repeated warnings about the danger of unprotected crossings have not led to sufficient action.
Investigation and delayed safety measures in Denmark
Police and the Danish Accident Investigation Board (Havarikommissionen) have opened an inquiry expected to take up to a year. Banedanmark, the state infrastructure manager, confirmed that barriers will only be installed in 2027 at the crossing where the crash occurred. In the meantime, services between Kliplev and Tinglev remain suspended, with replacement buses operating.
Political and European implications for rail safety
The accident has renewed debate over rail safety in Denmark, particularly at unprotected level crossings. Relatives of victims and union officials are calling for accelerated improvements.
The issue also resonates at a wider European level, where rail safety standards and infrastructure investments are a shared concern. The political pressure on the Danish government to act swiftly is expected to grow in the months ahead.
