At least four people died and several others were injured when a train collided with a school bus in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium. The incident, involving a Belgian railways train and a mini school bus, occurred at a level crossing in Vierhuizen around 8:15 am local time.
According to reports, there were seven schoolchildren, a supervisor, and a driver in the bus during the accident. Two teenagers, the driver, and the supervisor lost their lives, while two others sustained serious injuries. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where nine individuals were on the bus, including a driver, an attendant, and seven children attending a school for children with special needs.
Thomas Baeken from Belgian rail track operator Infrabel mentioned that CCTV footage indicated the level crossing was closed at the time of the collision. Despite the train driver’s emergency braking efforts, the collision was unavoidable. The accident occurred approximately one kilometer from Buggenhout railway station.
Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed condolences to the victims and their families, thanking emergency services for their prompt actions in response to the tragic incident.
