High-Speed Train Hits School Minibus Near Buggenhout, Belgium, Killing Four Including Two Children

A high-speed train hit a school minibus at a level crossing near Buggenhout in northern Belgium on Tuesday, killing four people including two children aged 12 and 15.

“At least four people have been killed, including two children, after a train travelling at high speed hit a minibus carrying special needs children crossing a railway in Belgium”

Al Jazeera

Belgian authorities said the minibus, carrying nine people, drove through closed crossing barriers during the morning rush hour near Buggenhout, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) northwest of Brussels.

Al Jazeera

Federal Police spokesperson An Berger said the minibus driver appeared to have “ploughed through the barrier,” and the spokesperson for the East Flanders public prosecutor’s office, Lisa De Wilde, said the bus driver, 49, and an escort, 27, were killed along with the two children.

Infrabel spokesperson Frederic Sacre said the train was travelling at an estimated 120 kph (75 mph) as it approached the crossing and had “no time to brake,” adding that the “impact was extremely violent.”

Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever said on X that he was “deeply moved by the horrific accident in Buggenhout,” and he added that his “thoughts go out to the affected families.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also posted on X that she was “heartbroken” about the “tragic accident,” writing: “My deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families and their loved ones.”

BBC

Belgium’s transport minister Jean-Luc Crucke told RTL TV that the bus driver and an adult accompanying the children had lost their lives, and he said “My first thoughts are with the victims, but also those people who are injured and their families.”

The collision happened just after 8am on Tuesday, with the bus reported to have attempted to cross despite lowered barriers and a flashing red light, while the train driver applied the emergency brakes but was unable to avoid the collision.

Investigators said the cause of the crash had not yet been established, with Lisa De Wilde telling journalists: “What we do know is that the barrier was closed and the red light was on.”

“Brussels — A train slammed into a school minibus in Belgium on Tuesday, killing at least four people including two children, according to authorities”

CBS News

The BBC reported that the bus was carrying seven boys, a driver, 49, and a chaperone, 27, and that the other five children were in a critical but stable condition in hospital.

The BBC also said CCTV footage and other sources indicated the lights on the level crossing were red and the barrier was down, while Thomas Baeken of Infrabel said: “How this accident could have happened, we don't know. That is for the police and the public prosecutor's office to investigate.”

Rail traffic in the area was halted as authorities carried out their work, and the BBC reported that King Philippe expressed his gratitude to the emergency services and wished everyone involved “a lot of strength and support in the face of this dramatic event.”