WEB DESK: In a devastating incident on Tuesday, a train collided with a school minibus in northern Belgium, resulting in four fatalities, including two young students, authorities reported.
The victims two children aged 15 and 12 were killed instantly in the crash, along with the 49-year-old driver and a 27-year-old supervisor on the bus, according to Lisa De Wilde, spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office. Five other students on board sustained serious injuries but are currently in stable condition at a local hospital.
The accident occurred at a railway crossing in Buggenhout, a Dutch-speaking municipality approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Brussels. Emergency responders set up tents and secured the scene, where a heavily damaged minibus was seen lying on its side adjacent to the railway line. The train, which was traveling at around 120 km/h, remained stationary as forensic teams began their investigation.
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “A tragic collision between a train and a school bus took place in Buggenhout this morning. Four lives have been lost, including two children.”
Images from the scene showed the impact’s violence, with the bus thrown about 15 meters into a nearby metal pylon. Infrabel, Belgium’s rail infrastructure company, confirmed that the crossing barriers had been closed and a red light was active at the time of the incident. Frederic Sacre, an Infrabel spokesperson, noted that the train was slowing down as it approached a station but was still travelling at a significant speed.
The authorities clarified that the bus was transporting seven students from a school serving children with learning disabilities. The other five pupils, who suffered severe injuries, were taken to hospital and are not in immediate danger.
Local residents expressed their shock and grief. Magda, a woman whose son was waiting at the station when the crash occurred, told AFP, “I cannot imagine what the parents are going through right now.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the train’s passengers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen conveyed her condolences, saying she was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. “My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the victims,” she posted online. “Today, Europe mourns with Belgium in this moment of sorrow.”
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
