Six dead in train crash on Denmark's Great Belt Fixed Link - The Local Denmark

Police at the closed entrance to the Great Belt Bridge. Photo: Tim K. Jensen/Ritzau Scanpix

Six people were killed in a rail accident in windy conditions on the Great Belt Bridge between Zealand and Funen early this morning.

Rail operator DSB confirmed the loss of life to broadcaster DR, before referring further requests to information to Funen Police.

In an earlier press statement, Funen Police confirmed that "several" people had lost their lives in the accident but did not give an exact figure.

Initial reports had stated eight minor injuries to have resulted from a train braking sharply after hitting an object at 7:30am on Wednesday. But there now appears to have been a more serious – and tragic – outcome than previously appeared the case.

DSB’s press officer was not able to give DR any further information about injuries to other passengers, while Funen Police wrote on Twitter just before 9am that they could not confirm the cause of the accident.

Vi kan på nuværende tidspunkt ikke sige noget om årsagen til ulykken eller om passagernes tilstand. Undgå spekulationer, gætværk og rygtedannelser. Vi informerer så hurtigt vi har mulighed for for det. #politidk
— Fyns Politi (@FynsPoliti) January 2, 2019

There were 131 passengers and three members of staff on board the train involved in the accident, DR writes.

An accident centre has been opened in the nearby town of Nyborg on the Funen side of the bridge, where people who were on board the train can receive help.

“Police have established an evacuation centre in Nyborg for passengers from the train. That is located at Nyborg Idrætscenter [Sports Centre, ed.], Storebæltsvej 13-14. There will not be access for relatives. There will be a psychological and social team present to receive and assist passengers,” Funen Police wrote in the press statement.

Police also advised all passengers who were on board the train to contact loved ones to let them know they are safe.

Rail and road connections across the bridge remain closed following the accident.

More to follow.

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