Police indicated 'dangerous fluids or gasses' might have been spilled in the accident.

NS Railways immediately stopped all train traffic between Rotterdam Central and Dordrecht. Police also closed the A15 motorway, which runs along the railway track in both directions, to enable rescue workers to reach the accident site.

Some passengers who were taken out of the train reported smelling diesel fuel and said they saw 'sparks' and 'fires' following the collision.