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Four dead, including two children, in Belgian school bus-train collision
🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Four dead, including two children, in Belgian school bus-train collision

From La Libre Belgique · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A school minibus carrying specialized education students was struck by a train in Buggenhout, Belgium, resulting in a severe accident.
  • Four people, including two children aged 12 and 15, the bus escort, and the driver, died in the collision.
  • The accident occurred at a level crossing with closed barriers and a red light, described as one of the most serious of its kind in the country.

A horrific accident unfolded in Buggenhout, Belgium, on Tuesday morning when a school minibus carrying specialized education students collided with a train. The collision occurred shortly after 8 a.m. as the minibus, operated by 't Ros Beiaard for De Lijn, approached a level crossing about a kilometer before the Buggenhout train station.

The train, traveling at approximately 90 km/h from Bruges to Malines, struck the minibus with immense force. Despite the train driver's attempt to activate the emergency brake, the collision was unavoidable. A witness described the scene as extremely violent, with the minibus being "catapulted several meters" and ending up on its side near a garage entrance.

Everything happened very quickly. In just a few seconds, the minibus, which I didn't see coming, was catapulted several meters and ended up on its side near a garage entrance. I was stunned, my legs were shaking.

— Philemon Van RansbeeckA local resident describing the immediate aftermath of the accident.

The minibus was carrying seven students from the Richtpunt campus in Buggenhout, along with a 27-year-old escort and the 49-year-old driver. The aftermath of the crash was devastating, claiming the lives of four individuals: two children, aged 12 and 15, from Bornem; the escort; and the driver. Five other children sustained serious injuries.

It's one of the most serious accidents ever to occur at a level crossing in our country.

— Infrabel spokespersonDescribing the severity of the collision.

Approximately one hundred passengers were on board the train. One passenger, reportedly in shock, was taken to the hospital. According to Infrabel, the railway network operator, the minibus proceeded through the level crossing despite the barriers being closed and the signal lights showing red. Initial technical checks indicated that the safety systems were functioning correctly. An Infrabel spokesperson described the incident as "one of the most serious accidents ever to occur at a level crossing in our country."

Authorities confirmed that the train driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs. An autopsy is underway for the bus driver, who reportedly had a clean criminal record and extensive experience in the profession, with De Lijn describing his record as "impeccable."

had an impeccable record.

— De LijnDescribing the bus driver's professional history.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Libre Belgique in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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