Several dead after train hits school bus in Belgium
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A train collided with a school minibus carrying seven children in northern Belgium, resulting in multiple fatalities.
- The accident occurred at a level crossing in the village of Buggenhout.
- Emergency services responded to the scene, and officials described the impact as "extremely violent."
Several people have died after a train struck a school minibus carrying seven children in northern Belgium on Tuesday. The collision occurred at a railway crossing in the village of Buggenhout, located approximately 20 kilometers north of Brussels.
The impact was extremely violent.
Sources confirmed multiple fatalities among those on board the minibus following the incident. Images from the scene showed a severely damaged minibus lying on its side next to the railway tracks. Emergency workers had set up tents around the area.
A police spokeswoman stated that seven children, a supervisor, and the driver were aboard the minibus at the time of the crash. The Belgian police declined to confirm the exact casualty toll but described the impact as "extremely violent" and the outcome as "dramatic."
It happened at around 8:08 am (0608 GMT) when a minibus was struck by a train that was due to stop at the next station, which was about a kilometre away.
The incident happened around 8:08 a.m. local time when the minibus was hit by a train that was en route to the next station, which was about a kilometer away. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed his condolences to the victims and their loved ones, wishing strength to the injured.
my thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones. I wish the injured much strength.
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.