A tragic collision between a train and a school minibus in Belgium has left several children dead and others critically injured after the vehicle was struck while crossing railway tracks in the town of Buggenhout.
The crash happened shortly after 08:00 local time on Wednesday as the minibus was transporting children to a special education school. According to Belgian federal police spokeswoman An Berger, the vehicle was carrying seven children, a 49-year-old driver, and a 27-year-old chaperone at the time of the incident.
Authorities said the minibus had been travelling along a road parallel to the railway before turning onto a level crossing where the safety barriers were already lowered. Moments later, an approaching train collided with the vehicle.
Belgian mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke confirmed that the crossing barriers were down when the crash occurred. CCTV footage reviewed by railway officials also reportedly showed warning lights flashing red before impact.
Emergency officials said five children survived the crash but remain in critical yet stable condition in hospital. Prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine exactly how the collision happened.
No passengers on the train were physically injured, although one person was reportedly treated for shock following the incident.
Photos from the scene showed the heavily damaged minibus lying on its side near the railway tracks beside a residential property in Buggenhout, a town located near Aalst, northwest of Brussels. Witnesses said the force of the impact threw the vehicle a considerable distance from the crossing.
Belgian rail infrastructure company Infrabel said the train had been slowing down as it approached Buggenhout station when the collision occurred. Spokesman Thomas Baeken stated that early evidence suggested the crossing’s warning system had been functioning correctly at the time.
“How this accident could have happened, we don't know. That is for the police and the public prosecutor's office to investigate,” Baeken said.
Messages of sympathy quickly poured in from leaders across Belgium and Europe. Flemish education minister Zuhal Demir described the incident as “heartbreaking news,” while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Today, Europe grieves with Belgium.”
Another Flemish minister, Annick De Ridder, said it was too early to assign responsibility as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash.
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