The aftermath of an deadly collision between a train and a school bus on a grade crossing Tuesday morning that killed four people, including two children aged 12 and 15, and seriously injured five other children. Photo by Olivier Matthys/EPA
Four people, including two children aged 12 and 15, were killed and five children were seriously injured when a train hit a school bus on a grade crossing in the northern Belgian town of Buggenhout during the Tuesday morning rush hour.
Belgian Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke said the barriers were down at the time of the collision.
Federal police said the bus with seven children, mainly high school age students, and an attendant on board, was en route to a special education needs school in the town when the incident occurred just after 8 a.m. local time.
Police spokeswoman An Berger said the minibus was driving down a street next to the rail line when it made a left onto the grade crossing after the barriers had closed.
The injured children were in a stable condition in the hospital. All the passengers and crew aboard the train were unhurt.
Footage from the crash site showed the minibus lying on its side on the drive of a house, with witnesses telling local media it had been launched into the air by the impact.
An investigation has been launched by authorities.
“Heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with all the victims, their families and everyone closely involved,” said education minister Zuhal Demir.
Sending her “deepest condolences” to the families and loved ones of those killed, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the whole of the European Union family was mourning with Belgium.
“I was heartbroken to learn of the tragic accident between a train and a school bus in Buggenhout today. Today, Europe grieves with Belgium,” she said.
The cause is under investigation by authorities.
Data from Belgian infrastructure operator Infrabel show there were more than 150 accidents on grade crossings in the country between 2020 and 2025.
Tuesday’s incident came 10 days after eight people were killed and 35 are injured when a bus stranded on a grade crossing in downtown Bangkok burst into flames after it was struck by a freight train.
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Wreathes are seen amongst the statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial during Memorial Day weekend in Washington on May 27, 2023. Memorial Day, which honors U.S. military personnel who died while in service, is held on the last Monday of May. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
