Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Brussels, May 26: At least four people were killed and several others injured after a passenger train struck a school bus at a level crossing in Buggenhout in Belgium’s East Flanders region on Monday morning, according to local media reports.
The accident involved a Belgian Railways passenger train and a mini school bus at the Vierhuizen crossing around 8:15 a.m. local time, reported the rail infrastructure operator Infrabel.
Emergency responders confirmed multiple fatalities, while passengers from the train were safely evacuated. Around 100 train passengers were later assisted at a nearby fire station, with one person receiving treatment for shock.
Reports from Belgian broadcaster VRT indicated that nine people were in the bus at the time — including seven schoolchildren, a driver and an attendant. The children were reportedly students from a school for children with special needs.
Belgium’s Federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke stated that the victims included two teenagers, the bus driver and the attendant, while at least two others sustained serious injuries.
Authorities said emergency services rushed to the scene immediately and launched rescue and evacuation operations. Police confirmed that the crossing barriers were down and warning signals were active at the time of the collision.
CCTV footage reviewed by Infrabel showed the safety systems were functioning as intended, according to spokesperson Thomas Baeken. However, investigators are still working to determine how the tragedy occurred.
Baeken said the train driver applied emergency brakes but was unable to avoid the impact. The collision occurred roughly one kilometre from Buggenhout railway station.
Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the swift response of emergency teams.
He said he was deeply saddened by the incident and extended support to those injured while acknowledging the efforts of rescue personnel at the scene.
An investigation is ongoing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the deadly collision.