Two people died on Friday morning, following a collision between a passenger car and an express train at a level crossing near the town of Paltamo in the centre of Finland.
Authorities have launched an on-site investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and the site will be cleared once the investigation is complete, local police said.
According to a statement from national rail carrier VR, the accident occurred along the Kontiomäki to Oulu line, about three kilometers from the Paltamo railway station, as the train was travelling in the direction of Oulu. The location is called Lepiko level crossing.
There have been no previous recorded incidents at this intersection, according to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, which began keeping records of level crossing accidents in 2000.
Three people died and two were seriously injured in level crossing accidents in Finland last year, but this year has already seen a total of six deaths, according to the latest preliminary data.
The Lepiko level crossing is due to be decommissioned next year through detour arrangements as part of the Transport Infrastructure Agency's level crossing removal and improvement programme.
Train traffic was at a standstill at the crossing at midday on Friday, with passengers on board the train involved in the collision being provided with an alternative train for the journey on to Oulu.
Passengers were also offered crisis counselling support.