At least four people have died, and five others have been seriously injured following a collision between a regional train and a school minibus yesterday, 26 May, at 08:15, at Buggenhout (Flanders), some 30 km from Brussels. The accident occurred at a level crossing with barriers lowered and warning signals active, according to infrastructure manager Infrabel and the Belgian authorities.
The vehicle was carrying nine occupants — seven pupils from a special needs school and two adults. The fatalities are two minors (aged 12 and 15), the driver (49) and a passenger escort (27). The five surviving students remain hospitalised in a serious but stable condition. None of the approximately 100 passengers aboard the train sustained injuries.
Initial investigations indicate that the minibus entered the track despite the crossing being closed, breaking through the barriers. Footage from the control system reportedly confirms that both the barriers and signals were functioning correctly. Although the train driver applied the emergency brake, the train’s momentum made it impossible to avoid the impact.
The federal prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation to determine the causes of the accident, including a possible medical episode by the driver. Rail traffic on the Bruges–Mechelen line was temporarily suspended.
Belgian and European authorities have expressed their condolences following one of the most serious level crossing accidents in decades.