Four people have been confirmed dead after a school minibus was struck by a train in northern Belgium, authorities said. The victims include two schoolchildren, a school attendant, and the driver.
Details of the Accident
The crash occurred on Tuesday, May 26, in Buggenhout, a town near Brussels. The minibus was carrying schoolchildren when it was hit by an oncoming train at a railway crossing. According to Reuters, the deceased are two pupils aged 12 and 15, a 27-year-old attendant, and a 49-year-old driver. CNN confirmed the same toll and noted that several other children were injured and hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigation Underway
Police reported that safety barriers were down and red warning lights were active at the time of the collision. Investigators are probing how the vehicle ended up on the tracks despite these warnings. A police spokesperson stated, "It's too early to say anything" regarding possible human error.
Rail officials confirmed the train driver applied emergency brakes but could not stop in time. "The train driver did apply the emergency brake, but was unable to avoid a collision," a rail operator representative said.
Response and Condolences
Emergency crews responded to the scene, where the damaged minibus lay beside the railway line. Forensic teams and traffic experts are examining the site. Belgian leaders, including the prime minister, expressed condolences to the affected families.
Related Incidents
In a similar event, a train crashed into a school bus in Gilgil, Kenya, injuring several children. The bus was crossing a railway line on the Gilgil–Nyahururu road when struck. Authorities launched investigations amid growing safety concerns at railway crossings.
In Nigeria, a man shared his daily commuting costs in Lagos using train and bus, sparking reactions on TikTok. He spends ₦750 on a train to Marina, then additional bus fares to Lekki Phase 1.
