Several killed after train crashes into school minibus in Belgium PHOTO

Several people were killed after a train collided with a minibus transporting schoolchildren in the municipality of Buggenhout in East Flanders on May 26 morning, Belgian authorities confirmed.

The crash occurred at approximately 8:08 a.m. at the Vierhuizen level crossing, involving a Belgian railways train and a minibus used for school transport. Emergency services were deployed to the scene in large numbers as rescue operations got underway, VRT reports.

Police confirmed that nine people were inside the minibus at the time of the collision, including the driver, an attendant and seven children, most of whom were of secondary school age. The children were reportedly attending a school for pupils with special needs.

Belgian rail infrastructure operator Infrabel said preliminary evidence indicates the level crossing was closed when the accident took place.

“The collision took place at 8.08 am. Footage shows that the barriers were down and the traffic lights were red. We do not know how the accident could have happened. That is for the police and the public prosecutor’s office to investigate,” Infrabel spokesperson Thomas Baeken said.

“We are, of course, cooperating with that investigation, because we want to understand how this tragic accident came about,” he added.

According to Baeken, the accident occurred around one kilometre from Buggenhout railway station. He stated that the train driver had attempted to stop the train before impact.

“The train was already braking. The train driver did apply the emergency brake, but was unable to avoid a collision,” he said.

Authorities also reported damage to railway infrastructure following the crash. “But that is the least of our concerns. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends,” Baeken told VRT News.

An official source cited by VRT News confirmed that there were several fatalities, though authorities have not yet released an exact death toll.

The passengers aboard the train, approximately 100 people, were evacuated and taken to a local fire station, where assistance was being provided. One passenger was reported to be in shock and receiving medical care.

Rail services between Dendermonde in East Flanders and Londerzeel in Flemish Brabant have been severely disrupted, with replacement buses deployed for affected passengers.

By Vafa Guliyeva