A collision occurred between a train and a school minibus at a level crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, resulting in four fatalities. The deceased include two children, aged 12 and 15, and two adults. The minibus was carrying seven children, a 49-year-old driver, and a 27-year-old chaperone when the incident took place shortly after 8:00 AM local time.
According to federal police, the minibus was traveling on a street parallel to the railway and turned left onto the level crossing while the barrier was down. A train, traveling at approximately 90 km/h (55 mph), then struck the minibus. The impact caused the minibus to collide with a pole before being thrown into the driveway of a nearby house.
Five other children on the bus sustained injuries and are reported to be in critical but stable condition in the hospital. No one on the train was harmed, though one individual received treatment for shock. An investigation into the cause of the accident has been initiated by the public prosecutor's office.
