On Tuesday morning (May 26th), a serious traffic accident occurred in northern Belgium. A high-speed train collided with a school bus at a level crossing, resulting in the deaths of 4 people and leaving 5 children seriously injured.
This tragedy took place during the early rush hour in the town of Buggenhout, located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of the capital Brussels.
Lisa De Wilde, spokesperson for the East Flanders Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed at a press conference that the victims included 2 students aged 12 and 15 respectively, a 49-year-old bus driver, and a 27-year-old accompanying staff member.
In addition, 5 children were hospitalized with serious injuries, but their conditions are currently stable.
The school bus involved was carrying students to a nearby special education school, with a total of 9 people on board. The train had around 100 passengers, fortunately none of whom were injured.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the severely damaged minibus with its front completely flattened, overturned beside the railway tracks, while the train remained relatively intact. Following the accident, railway traffic in the area was suspended, and local officials observed a minute of silence after the press conference.
Frédéric Sacré, spokesperson for the Belgian railway operator Infrabel, revealed that the train was traveling at approximately 120 kilometers per hour when approaching the level crossing, leaving no time to brake, resulting in a “extremely powerful impact”.
An Berger, spokesperson for the Federal Police, stated that surveillance footage at the scene showed that the crossing barrier was already down with the red light on, but the school bus was still moving when it was hit by the train, indicating that the driver may have forcefully passed the barrier.
Lisa De Wilde, spokesperson for the prosecution, mentioned that forensic experts had taken photographs at the scene for evidence, and investigators were interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.
Following the accident, various officials from Belgium and the European Union publicly expressed their condolences.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed on social media that it was a heartbreaking tragedy, and his thoughts were with the victims and their families.
Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden expressed deep sorrow, stating, “The train and school bus collision in Buggenhout has left me speechless.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also posted on social media expressing her broken heart upon learning of the accident and offering her deepest condolences to the families of the victims.