Dutch train accident: one person was killed and 30 injured in Voorschoten

(CNN) At least one person was killed and 30 others were seriously injured when a passenger train carrying about 50 passengers derailed in the Netherlands early Tuesday after hitting construction equipment on the track, the Dutch emergency services said.

Rescue teams were seen evacuating the injured in the dark of dawn at the scene of the accident in Voorschoten, a village near The Hague. Emergency services said the accident occurred around 3:25 a.m.

A spokesman for the fire department told Dutch radio that 19 people had been taken to hospital. Emergency services said others were being treated immediately.

The ANB news agency reported that the front carriage of the night train from Leiden to The Hague derailed and fell into a field after the accident. She added that the second carriage was on its side and a fire broke out in the rear carriage, but it was later extinguished.

There were conflicting reports about the cause of the accident.

Earlier reports said that the passenger train collided with a freight train. Dutch Railways spokesman Eric Kruijs said a freight train was involved in the accident, but could not give details.

Dutch Railways said in a tweet that trains between Leiden and parts of The Hague had been canceled because of the accident.

“This is an incredibly tragic accident,” said Nadine Stymerdinck, Mayor of Voorschoten. “We are so sorry that there has been a death. My thoughts go out to all of the families and friends of those involved.”