At least one person has been killed after a passenger train derailed in the Netherlands early on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the security forces said about 30 people were injured, some of them seriously.

She said 19 people were taken to the hospital, adding that no information was given about their condition.

On Tuesday, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima said on social media that their thoughts were with the victims and their families. 

“Many are now in fear and uncertainty. We feel very much with them all,” they said.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke of a “terrible train accident.’’

“My thoughts are with the relatives and with all the victims. I wish them much strength,’’ Mr Rutte wrote on Twitter.

At around 3:25 a.m. (0125 GMT), an Intercity and a goods train collided with a construction crane near Voorschoten, about 15km from The Hague.

The report was according to the rail company spokesman.

The rail operator said about 50 to 60 passengers were on the night train going from Amsterdam to The Hague when the accident occurred.

The rail network operator, Prorail, could not say anything about the cause at first.

According to witnesses, the Intercity careened into a meadow, overturning at least two carriages.

The goods train was also said to have derailed.

Most of the passengers were able to leave the train themselves.

“There was a heavy thud, windows shattered,’’ one passenger reported.

The carriage in which the student was sitting tilted. He was able to free himself quickly.

Residents also picked up some passengers, witnesses reported.

According to reporters, the emergency services were quickly at the crash scene, where chaos prevailed.

The route from Amsterdam to The Hague is busy as the traffic between Leiden and The Hague was shut down after the accident. 

(dpa/NAN)