Five people have been left in a critical condition after two trains collided in Denmark.

The crash happened around 40km (25 miles) north of the capital Copenhagen at around 6.30am on Thursday.

At least 12 other people have minor injuries, according to the Greater Copenhagen Fire Department.

Image: Pic: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

The crash prompted a massive emergency response to what police described as a major incident.

Image: Pic: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

Photos from the scene show the front ends of the trains smashed together, with both remaining upright on the tracks.

Image: Pic: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

The two local trains collided on a train line linking the towns of Hillerod and Kagerup, police said.

"It is two ‌local trains that have collided head-on," a spokesperson for the emergency rescue services told Reuters.

Image: Pic: Ritzau Scanpix/Reuters

"There are injuries among the ⁠passengers. Everyone is out ​of the trains, so no ​one is trapped," ⁠the spokesperson added. "Large resources ​have been dispatched to the scene."

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The injured have been transported away from the scene in ambulances and helicopters, the fire department said.