One dead and 30 injured after passenger train derails in the Netherlands

One person has died and dozens have been injured after a passenger train derailed in the south of the Netherlands, the Dutch emergency services said.

The incident happened close to the village of Voorschoten, near The Hague, at around 3.25am local time (2.25am UK time). There were around 50 people on board, officials said.

A fire department spokesman told Dutch radio that 19 people were taken to hospital, with 30 injured in total and the others treated at the scene.

The front carriage of the train between Leiden city and The Hague came off the tracks and ended up in a field after the incident, according to the ANP news agency.

A fire also broke out in the rear carriage, but was eventually put out.

There had been earlier confusion, with reports suggesting the passenger train had collided with a freight train.

Dutch Railways (NS) spokesman Erik Kroeze confirmed a freight train was involved in the incident, but could not give details.

Services between Leiden and The Hague have since been cancelled while the rescue operation continues.

In a tweet, Dutch leader Mark Rutte sent his sympathies, saying: "My thoughts are with the relatives and with all the

victims. I wish them all the best."

"This is an incredibly tragic accident. I sympathize with the victims. Unfortunately, there is also a fatality to mourn. My thoughts go out to all the family and friends of those involved," Voorschoten Mayor Nadine Stemerdink said in a statement.

Last month 36 people were killed in Greece after two trains crashed head-on at high speed.

-sky news