At least 8 killed in Danish train accident during high winds
According to a report by Reuters, on Wednesday, six people were killed on a bridge connecting Denmark's two main islands, when a passenger train hit a trailer that had blown off a freight wagon moving in the opposite direction. The passenger train was reportedly heading toward the capital, Copenhagen, carrying 131 people. Police said that six people were killed in the accident, while 16 others were injured but not in critical condition.
At least eight people were killed and more than a dozen others injured following a train accident on a bridge in Denmark on Wednesday morning, according to the Reuters.
The accident occurred during a period of high winds with frequent wind gusts of 65-80 km/h (40-50 mph) across the region.
Initial reports from the Associated Press indicated that cargo from a freight train struck a passing passenger train on the Great Belt Bridge, which connects the islands of Zealand and Funen.
A view of a train accident site on the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark, Jan. 2, 2019. (Tim Kildeborg Jensen/Ritzau Scanpix via REUTERS)
All of the victims were on the passenger train carrying 131 people from Odense to Copenhagen.
The bridge is part of a transportation system that supports both automobiles and rail traffic.
Due to the high winds, automobiles were restricted from traveling on the bridge Tuesday night. However, rail traffic was allowed to continue with normal service.
In this UGC photo made available by a source wishing to remain anonymous, a view of the damage on a train after an accident involving a train on the Great Belt Bridge, in Nyborg, Denmark, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. (Anonymous Source via AP)
Strong winds continued through the day on Wednesday, affecting rescue efforts at the scene of the crash.
Winds will continue to become lighter through Thursday before increasing again on Thursday night through Friday. Dry weather is expected during this time.
Bridge traffic toward the island of Funen remained closed Wednesday afternoon, according to BBC News. Car traffic toward Zealand had reopened.
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