Belgium train crash latest: Two teenagers among four dead after school bus collides with train – UK Times

Belgium’s transport minister Jean-Luc Crucke, has confirmed four people died in the accident.

“It concerns two children, the driver of the school bus, and the chaperone,” he said.

He also confirmed the level crossing was closed at the moment of the impact. “We have footage that proves that,” said Crucke.

The minibus that was involved in the crash was on its way to a school for special education, HLN reported.

The police have not released details of the victims.

“The family members are being informed personally first,” they stated. “They are currently being cared for and supported at a nearby school.”

The Belgium transport minister has said two teenagers, a bus driver and another adult was killed in the train collision with a school bus.

The level crossing was shut at the time of the collision, but the minibus drove out of Kerkhofstraat and onto the railway tracks, CCTV footage shows.

Railway operator Infrabel has said the lights at the level crossing were red and the barriers were down at the moment of the collision.

“We are trying to understand how this could have happened,” they said. “But our thoughts are now first and foremost with the victims and their families.”

There were about 100 passengers on the train, but no passengers were injured, according to HLN news.

The passengers were evacuated by the fire brigade.

Interior minister Bernard Quintin has shared a tribute on social media, following the crash.

“With great dismay, I learned of the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train,” he wrote in a post on X.

“My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones. I wish the injured much strength. Thank our emergency services for their swift response on site.”

Belgium’s justice minister Annelies Verlinden has shared her “heartfelt sympathy” after a school bus crashed into a train.

“My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the victims, the children, their families, and everyone affected by this tragedy today. I wish everyone much warm closeness,” she wrote in a post on X.

“Thank you to the emergency services and the police for their swift intervention and their sustained efforts on site. The prosecutor’s office is of course also continuing to follow up on this accident.”