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In a tragic incident in northern Belgium, four lives were lost when a train collided with a school minibus on Tuesday. Among the deceased were two children, according to the nation’s Deputy Prime Minister.
“This morning, a heart-wrenching crash between a train and a school bus occurred in Buggenhout, resulting in the loss of four lives, including two young children,” announced Maxime Prevot on X, expressing the gravity of the situation.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever shared his sorrow, stating, “I am deeply moved by this horrific accident. My thoughts are with the families affected by this tragedy.”
Photographs from the accident site in the Flanders region depict a minibus, severely damaged, overturned beside the railway tracks. Emergency personnel set up tents around the scene, while the commuter train involved remained stationary on the rails, marking the aftermath of the collision.
According to police spokeswoman An Berger, the minibus was carrying seven children, a supervisor, and a driver at the time of the accident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the train passengers.
“The impact was extremely violent,” Frederic Sacre, a spokesman for Belgium’s Infrabel rail agency, told Agence France Presse (AFP), adding that the train was travelling at 120 kilometres per hour.
“The minibus was thrown about 15 metres into a metal pylon,” he said.
‘Barrier closed’
Sacre said footage from the scene showed that the barriers at the crossing had been closed and a red light was showing at the time of the incident.
Belgian media reported that the pupils came from a school for children with learning disabilities.
Belgian interior minister Bernard Quintin expressed his deep sadness at the “tragic accident”, writing on X that “my thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones”.
“I wish the injured much strength,” he wrote, thanking the emergency services for their work.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen joined in the stream of commiserations from politicians, saying she was “heartbroken” by the collision.
“My deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families and their loved ones,” she posted online.
“Today, Europe grieves with Belgium.”
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