A fatal collision between a train and a school minibus in Buggenhout, about 30 kilometers from Brussels, has left four people dead, including two teenagers and two adults. According to Belgium’s Minister of Mobility, Jean-Luc Crucke, all of the victims were passengers in the minibus, which was transporting seven students from a special education secondary school along with the driver and a supervisor.
Belgium’s Minister of the Interior, Bernard Quintin, expressed deep shock over the “tragic” accident. The crash occurred in the municipality of Buggenhout, in the Flemish region, and involved a train striking the school vehicle. A witness on board the train said the collision happened suddenly and described hearing a strong impact, followed by a broken train window, while passengers initially did not understand what had occurred.
The minibús escolar was carrying vulnerable students from a special education school, making the incident especially devastating for the local community and authorities. The exact circumstances leading to the collision have not been detailed in the available report, and officials have not yet provided additional information about the condition of the surviving passengers or the sequence of events that caused the crash.
The ministers’ statements indicate that Belgian authorities are treating the accident as a serious and tragic incident. Emergency response and follow-up investigations are expected to determine how the collision happened and whether safety measures at the crossing or along the rail line were involved. The crash has drawn immediate attention because of the deaths of minors and the involvement of a school transport vehicle.
Further details are expected as authorities continue their assessment.
