The death toll from Wednesday's train crash in Denmark has risen to eight, making it the country's worst rail accident in decades, police confirmed on Thursday. Five women and three men were killed, all adults, matching the number of missing persons reported by relatives. More than a dozen passengers were also injured.
The accident occurred at around 07:35 local time on the Great Belt Bridge, a crucial link between Denmark's two largest islands, Zealand and Funen. The commuter train, travelling from Odense to Copenhagen, is believed to have been hit by a trailer from a passing freight train during a heavy storm. Investigators suspect the trailer came loose from its freight car due to high winds.
Passenger Jim Nielson, who was on the train's second coach heading to the airport after the Christmas holiday, described the incident to CNN. 'There was a cargo train coming from Zealand, the opposite direction. It was shaking due to the strong wind. One of the containers was blown off the cargo train into the rails, because of the wind. Our driver tried to stop the train, pulling the brake. But the train continued to drive a bit, and crashed into the container blown off from the cargo,' he said.
Police have not yet formally announced the cause, but Danish media have pointed to the truck trailer as the likely culprit. There were 131 passengers and three crew members on board at the time of the crash. Police confirmed they are confident there are no further fatalities to be discovered.
Identifying the deceased has been challenging due to the extent of injuries, with DNA and dental record testing required for some bodies. Four of the victims are close to being named, police added. The rail network operator initially reported 'debris' hitting the train, but the focus has shifted to the trailer.
