train collision – Belgian federal police say several people were hurt when a train collided with a children’s minibus at a level crossing near Buggenhout during the morning rush hour. Authorities said they could not yet provide more details, while a private broadcaster reported
Morning rush hour in Buggenhout turned into chaos at a level crossing, when a train hit a minibus carrying children, Belgian federal police said Tuesday.
The crash happened near the town of Buggenhout in northern Belgium, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Brussels. Police said “several people” were hurt, but they were unable to provide further details about how the collision unfolded.
Belgian private broadcaster VTM said four people were killed. Police would not confirm whether there were any deaths, saying it was “out of respect for the families of those implicated.”
VTM reported that the barriers at the crossing were closed, but that the bus appeared to have tried to cross anyway and was struck by the train. Seven schoolchildren were aboard the minibus, along with a driver and an escort.
At the scene, an Associated Press reporter said the badly damaged bus lay toppled on its side. Forensic experts in protective white suits and wearing gloves took photos of the area, and a white pop-up tent was erected nearby. The train was relatively unscathed.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said in a social media post that he felt “great sadness” over “the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train. My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones.”
The exact sequence of events remains unclear. but what is known already is sobering: a minibus carrying children was at a closed crossing when it was struck. and the resulting injuries—along with unconfirmed reports of deaths—have left authorities carefully working through details and families waiting for answers.
Buggenhout Belgium train collision level crossing minibus schoolchildren Belgian federal police Bernard Quintin
How does a bus even get hit if the barriers were closed… someone messed up.
I saw on another page it said 4 died?? Then the police won’t confirm, which is messed up. Either way that’s just awful, especially with kids.
I don’t get it, the bus was trying to cross anyway so was it like the driver just ignored the lights? Also why are they saying “several hurt” like they don’t know anything yet, morning rush hour sounds chaotic.
This is why I hate those crossings. People act like the train is a truck you can see and stop for. If the barriers were closed, then the bus had to be out of line or the system glitched, but they’re not saying which so it’ll turn into rumors. Sad either way.