Belgium train crash kills four, including special needs students

A tragic accident has shaken Belgium after a school minibus carrying students with special needs collided with a train in Buggenhout. Four people died in the crash: two students aged 12 and 15, the driver, and an adult chaperone. Five other students sustained serious injuries and are in critical condition. The collision occurred around 8:15 a.m. at a level crossing as the minibus transported students from Richtpunt Campus Buggenhout, a special education school. The train, carrying about 100 passengers, managed to stop safely, and its passengers were unharmed except for one who suffered shock. The minibus was found overturned and severely damaged next to the tracks. Belgian authorities are investigating the incident, with preliminary evidence pointing towards driver negligence. Thomas Becken, a spokesperson for Infrabel, stated that the barriers were down and the lights were red. He indicated that the train driver had begun braking and activated the emergency brake but could not prevent the collision. The primary hypothesis is that the driver attempted to cross despite the approaching train.

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The barriers were down and the lights were functioning with a red light.