Four people, including two children, were killed when a train collided with a school minibus at a level crossing in Belgium on Tuesday morning.
A further five children were seriously injured in the incident, which occurred at a railway crossing in the small town of Buggenhout in the north of the country.
An investigation has begun into the cause of the crash, with a statement from the local municipality claiming the level crossing barrier closing off the approaching road from the train tracks had been lowered at the time of the incident.
The injured children were described by local authorities as being in a “stable condition” several hours afterwards
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King Philippe of Belgium released a statement extending his condolences to the families of those killed in the collision, as well as those who were injured. Prime minister Bart De Wever said his thoughts went out to the families affected by the “horrific accident” at Buggenhout.
The children had been on a minibus from a local secondary school for children with additional needs.
Footage of the overturned white minibus circulated widely across local media. It showed the front of the vehicle was significantly damaged by the collision.
The 49-year-old driver of the bus and an assistant (27) were killed, along with two children aged 15 and 12.
Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported that it appeared the minibus struck the level crossing barrier just before the collision with the train, citing several sources who had reviewed CCTV footage of the moments before the incident.
SNCB, the national train operator, and Infrabel, which manages the railway network, released a joint statement saying both were fully co-operating with all relevant authorities and investigators.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, as well as with everyone affected by this tragedy, particularly the entire school community involved. From the very first moments, teams from Infrabel and SNCB worked alongside emergency services and the relevant authorities,” the statement said.
The crash took place at about 8am near the train station at Buggenhout in the northern Flanders region, about three minutes’ drive from the school.
The East Flanders public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the crash.
“The exact cause and circumstances are still under investigation. It has, however, been confirmed that the barriers were closed and the red warning signal was active at the time of the incident,” the Buggenhout municipality said in a statement.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the Brussels-based EU executive body, said she was “heartbroken to learn of the tragic accident between a train and a schoolbus in Buggenhout today”. In a post on X, von der Leyen said: “today, Europe grieves with Belgium”.
