Four dead in a crash between a train and a school minibus in Belgium

BrusselsA passenger train collided this Tuesday morning with a school minibus at a level crossing in the Flemish town of Buggenhout, Belgium, causing four deaths, as confirmed by the Belgian Minister of Transport, Jean-Luc Crucke. Seven secondary school students, a chaperone, and the driver were traveling in the school vehicle, heading to a special education school, according to the Belgian newspaper "HLN". The fatalities are the two adults and two of the adolescents.

According to the railway network operator, Infrabel, the traffic lights at the level crossing were red and the barriers were down at the time of the collision, around 8:15 AM. The Minister of Transport also confirmed this and stated that there is footage to prove it. The railway company reported that the train driver attempted to activate the emergency brake and that the precise circumstances of the accident are being investigated. Federal police spokeswoman An Berger said the minibus "turned left and crossed the closed barrier".

Infrabel also confirmed that none of the passengers on the train that collided with the school bus were injured and that, being less than a kilometer from the next stop, it had already begun to slow down, although it wished to make it clear that the impact was "very significant nonetheless". According to the same railway company, the train had departed from the Flemish city of Bruges and was heading towards Buggenhout.

The accident has provoked various reactions from political leaders. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever lamented the "terrible accident" through a message on social media and said he was "deeply affected". "My thoughts are with the victims and their families," added the Flemish leader.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed a similar sentiment on social network X. "The tragic accident between a train and a school bus in Buggenhout is heartbreaking," tweeted the head of the EU executive. She also offered condolences to the families and friends of the victims. "Today, Europe mourns with Belgium," added the German conservative.