Four killed, including children, after train hits school bus in Belgium

Four people were killed, including two children, after a school bus was hit by a train at a level crossing in Belgium, officials said on Thursday (May 26). The incident happened in the town of Buggenhout, north of Brussels. Several fatalities were reported among those on the school minibus, which was carrying seven children.

Belgian media showed images of the badly damaged minibus lying on its side on a road next to the railway line, with tents set up by emergency responders nearby.

According to police spokeswoman An Berger, seven children, a supervisor, and a driver were aboard the minibus. She added that no one was hurt on the train.

“The impact was extremely violent,” Frederic Sacre, a spokesman for Belgium’s Infrabel rail agency, told AFP. He added that the train was travelling at 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour at the time of the accident.

“The minibus was thrown about 15 metres (50 feet) into a metal pylon,” he said. The footage showed that the barriers at the crossing had been closed, and a red light was seen at the time of the collision, Sacre said.

According to local media reports, the students were from a school for children with learning disabilities.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said that he was “deeply moved by the horrific accident... My thoughts go out to the affected families”.

Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot confirmed the number of fatalities in the accident. “A tragic collision between a train and a school bus took place in Buggenhout this morning. Four people have been killed, including two children,” he said on X.

Following the incident, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said that she was “heartbroken” by the tragic incident.

“My deepest condolences go out to the victims' families and their loved ones. Today, Europe grieves with Belgium,” she said in a post on social media.