In a devastating accident on Tuesday morning, a train collided with a school minibus at a level crossing in Buggenhout, northern Belgium, killing four people and injuring five others.
The minibus was transporting seven children with special needs, along with a driver and a chaperone, to school when the crash occurred around 8 a.m. local time. The victims included a 12-yr-old boy, a 15-yr-old girl, the 49-yr-old bus driver, and a 27-yr-old chaperone. Five other children were seriously injured but are now in stable condition in hospital.
Authorities confirmed that the level crossing barriers were down and warning signals were active at the time of the incident. The train, traveling at speed, struck the vehicle with significant force, causing extensive damage. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, with rescue workers and investigators active throughout the day.
Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot described the event as a “tragic collision.” Belgian officials, including Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, offered condolences to the families. An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances, with a traffic expert and forensic teams examining the site.
This incident has renewed concerns about safety at Belgium’s level crossings. The community of Buggenhout and the wider region are in mourning as families grieve the young victims. (198 words)
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