Belgium is mourning after a tragic collision between a train and a school minibus killed four people in the town of Buggenhout in northern Belgium. The crash happened shortly after 08:00 local time on Thursday morning.
The victims include two children aged 12 and 15, the 49-year-old minibus driver, and a 27-year-old chaperone. Authorities confirmed that the bus was transporting children to a special education school at the time of the accident.
Several Children Remain in Critical Condition
Five other children who were travelling on the bus survived the crash. However, doctors say they remain in critical but stable condition in hospital.
Federal police spokeswoman An Berger said the minibus was travelling along a road beside the railway before turning left onto the level crossing. At that moment, the railway barrier was already down and warning lights were active. A train travelling through Buggenhout then struck the vehicle at high speed.
Officials said the train was moving at around 120km/h before impact. The force of the collision threw the minibus into the driveway of a nearby home after it hit a pole.
Authorities Launch Investigation
Belgian mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke confirmed that the railway barriers were down during the incident. CCTV footage reviewed by rail officials also showed red warning lights flashing before the collision.
Thomas Baeken, spokesperson for Belgian rail operator Infrabel, explained that the train had already started slowing down as it approached Buggenhout station. Despite this, the crash remained extremely violent due to the train’s speed.
Investigators are now working to determine how the minibus entered the crossing despite active warnings.
“How this accident could have happened, we don’t know,” Baeken said. “That is for the police and the public prosecutor’s office to investigate.”
Nobody on board the train suffered physical injuries, although one passenger received treatment for shock.
Belgium and Europe React to Tragedy
Zuhal Demir described the incident as “heartbreaking news” and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe was grieving alongside Belgium following the deadly accident.
Another Flemish minister, Annick De Ridder, urged caution while investigations continue, saying it was too early to assign blame.
Buggenhout mayor Geert Hermans ended a press conference with a minute of silence in honour of the victims.
Growing Focus on Railway Crossing Safety
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about railway crossing safety across Europe. Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the crash carefully as investigators examine CCTV footage, road conditions and crossing systems.
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