A train collided with a school bus in the Buggenhout town in Belgium on Tuesday morning, killing four people, including two teenagers, according to RTL TV, citing Transport Minister Jean-Luc Crucke.
Local authorities in Buggenhout in northern Belgium released a statement that a “serious traffic accident” took place in the town at around 8 am local time on Tuesday. Photos from the scene showed a minibus laying on its side next to a railway track.
Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden posted on her X handle that the accident involved a school bus.
“Words fail at the accident in Buggenhout, in which a train and a school bus were involved,” she said.
Local media reported that the vehicle was transporting students from a nearby special education school.
Belgium’s Interior Minister Bernard Quintin offered condolences to the victims and their families in an X post.
He wrote, “With great dismay, I learnt of 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. I wish the injured much strength.”
Rescue and relief operations are still underway while authorities are yet to confirm the exact number of casualties and further information about the incident.
Frederic Sacre, a spokesman for the rail network operator Infrabel, told AFP news agency that the accident happened at a level crossing in the northern Flanders region.
“The impact was extremely violent,” said Sacre “It happened at around 8:08 am when a minibus was struck by a train that was due to stop at the next station, which was about a kilometre away.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed grief online on behalf of the European Union.
“My deepest condolences go out to the victims’ families and their loved ones. Today, Europe grieves with Belgium,” she said.
