Four Dead as Train Collides With School Minibus in Belgium
A collision between a passenger train and a school minibus in the northern Belgian town of Buggenhout has resulted in the deaths of four people, including two children aged 12 and 15, BBC reports.
The fatal crash occurred shortly after 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT). The vehicle was transporting seven secondary school children to a special educational needs facility, accompanied by a 49-year-old driver and a 27-year-old chaperone. Both adults also perished in the incident.
The sequence of events
According to federal police spokeswoman An Berger, the minibus had been travelling along a road parallel to the railway tracks before executing a left turn onto a level crossing. Preliminary reports strongly suggest that the safety barriers were already lowered when the vehicle entered the crossing.
A train passing through Buggenhout subsequently struck the minibus. Thomas Baeken, a spokesperson for the Belgian railway network Infrabel, told public broadcaster VRT that the train was actively decelerating as it approached the local station.
He added that an initial review of CCTV footage corroborates eyewitness accounts, confirming that the level crossing’s warning lights were illuminated red and the physical barriers were fully deployed.
The sheer force of the impact threw the vehicle a considerable distance. Photographs from the scene show the severely damaged minibus resting on its side in a residential driveway adjacent to the railway line.
Casualties and ongoing investigation
The five surviving children who were on board the minibus have been rushed to hospital. A spokesperson for the public prosecutor confirmed they are currently in a critical but stable condition.
An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances that led to the tragedy. Flemish minister Annick De Ridder cautioned against early speculation, telling Belgian television that it remains too early in the investigative process to assign responsibility.
Fortunately, no passengers on board the train sustained any physical injuries during the crash. However, Berger noted that one individual received medical treatment for shock.
Tributes and condolences
Officials across Belgium and Europe have expressed their dismay over the incident. Belgian mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke, who verified the operational status of the crossing barriers, stated that his immediate thoughts were with the victims.
«What heartbreaking news,» Flemish education minister Zuhal Demir shared on social media. «My thoughts are with all the victims, their families and everyone closely involved.»
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also offered her condolences, declaring that «today, Europe grieves with Belgium.»
