A tragic collision between a school bus and a high-speed train in northern Belgium has claimed four lives, including two children, and left five other children seriously injured, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Details of the accident
The crash occurred at a level crossing in the town of Buggenhout during the morning rush hour. Lisa De Wilde, a spokeswoman, told a news conference that the dead included the minibus driver, an escort, and two children. Five children were taken to hospital in serious condition.
De Wilde stated that the cause of the accident remains unknown, though investigators are questioning witnesses and reviewing footage from nearby cameras. "What we do know is that the barrier was closed and the red light was on," she said.
Train speed and impact
Frédéric Sacré, a spokesperson for Belgian rail operator Infrabel, reported that the train was traveling at approximately 120 km/h as it approached the crossing and had "no time to brake." He described the impact as "extremely violent."
An Associated Press reporter at the scene observed the badly damaged bus lying on its side, with forensic experts in protective suits photographing the area. A white pop-up tent was erected nearby, while the train appeared relatively unscathed.
Official responses
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed "great sadness" over the accident in a social media post, offering thoughts to the victims and their loved ones.
A spokesperson for De Lijn, the public transport authority for the Flemish region, confirmed that the bus driver was "an experienced member of staff, in good health and passed a medical check-up and the legally required yearly training." The subcontractor earlier told local outlet HLN that the driver had been performing this work for a long time and was familiar with the route.
Buggenhout mayor Geert Hermans stated, "I am in shock by what has happened here today. This is an extremely serious accident with a particularly heavy toll. This affects us all enormously, our entire community has been hit incredibly hard. The victims and their families are now our absolute priority."
Context of level crossing accidents in Belgium
Belgium's dense railway network, which crisscrosses towns and villages, has a history of accidents at level crossings. According to Infrabel's website, five people died in such accidents in 2025, the lowest number recorded since 2020. Since 2021, a total of 36 people have died in 168 level crossing accidents.
