Train strikes school minibus at Belgian level crossing, killing four
On May 26, 2026, a train struck a school minibus at a level crossing in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium, around 8:15 a.m. The bus carried seven children, a driver, and an adult companion. Four people died—two children, the driver, and another adult—and two others were seriously injured. Safety systems were active, with barriers down and lights red, but the bus reportedly drove onto the tracks. The train driver braked but could not avoid the collision. No train passengers were injured. The community declared a disaster, and officials expressed condolences.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Several Dead in School Bus and Train Collision in Belgium
A tragic collision between a school bus and a train in Buggenhout, Belgium, resulted in multiple fatalities on May 26, 2026. The accident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. at the Vierhuizen level crossing, about a kilometer from the train station. According to railway company Infrabel, a minibus carrying seven school children, a supervisor, and the driver was struck by a train with 'extremely violent' impact. Police confirmed the barrier was closed when the bus attempted to cross. The train was evacuated with no passenger injuries. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed condolences. Authorities have not yet released official numbers of dead and injured. Children and relatives are being supported at a nearby school. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
taz.de - taz.deSeveral Dead in Belgium School Bus and Train Collision
A collision between a school bus and a train in Buggenhout, Belgium, on May 26, 2026, resulted in multiple fatalities. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. at the Vierhuizen level crossing, about a kilometer from the train station. The school bus, carrying seven children, a supervisor, and the driver, was hit by a train despite the barrier being closed. The impact was described as 'extremely violent' by a railway spokesman. Authorities have not yet released exact numbers of dead and injured. The train was evacuated with no passenger injuries. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin offered condolences to the victims and their families. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
taz.de - taz.deSeveral dead after train hits school bus in Belgium
On May 26, 2026, a train struck a school minibus carrying seven children, a supervisor, and a driver at a level crossing in Buggenhout, northern Belgium. Officials confirmed several fatalities among those on the bus. Belgian media showed images of the badly damaged minibus lying on its side, with emergency tents set up. Police described the impact as 'extremely violent' and the toll as 'dramatic'. The collision occurred around 8:08 a.m. local time, about a kilometer from the next station. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed condolences, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was 'heartbroken' and that 'Europe grieves with Belgium.'
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Train crashes into school bus at level crossing in Belgium, several dead
A minibus serving as a school bus was struck by a train at a level crossing in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium, on Tuesday morning around 8:15 a.m., resulting in multiple fatalities. The vehicle carried seven children, the driver, and an adult companion. Belgian media reported at least four deaths. The train, traveling from Bruges, had begun slowing down for the nearby station but the impact was described as 'extremely violent.' The train driver initiated emergency braking but could not avoid the collision. The bus flipped onto its side. Rescue workers arrived in force, and one person required resuscitation at the scene. The community declared a disaster. According to rail operator Infrabel, safety systems were active—barriers were down and lights were red. The mayor stated the minibus drove onto the tracks despite these warnings. No train passengers were injured; the train carried about 100 people. Train service was interrupted. The children attended a special education school.
Nachrichten - WELTTrain crashes into school bus at level crossing in Belgium, killing four
A tragic collision occurred on Tuesday morning at around 8:15 a.m. at a level crossing in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium, when a minibus serving as a school bus was struck by a train. Belgian Transport Minister Jean-Luc Crucke confirmed four deaths: two children, the bus driver, and another adult. Two others were seriously injured. The train, carrying about 100 passengers, had begun slowing down for the nearby Buggenhout station, but the impact was described as 'extremely violent' despite the driver's emergency braking. According to rail operator Infrabel, the crossing barriers were down and warning lights active. Mayor Geert Hermans reported the minibus drove onto the tracks despite these safety measures. The community declared a disaster, and train services between Dendermonde and Londerzeel were suspended. The children attended a special education school. An investigation into the cause is ongoing.
Nachrichten - WELTTrain crashes into school bus at level crossing in Belgium, multiple fatalities feared
A minibus serving as a school bus was struck by a train at a level crossing in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium, on Tuesday morning around 8:15 a.m. The vehicle carried seven children, a driver, and an adult companion. Belgian media reported at least four deaths, though official confirmation was pending. The train, traveling from Bruges and slowing for Buggenhout station, hit the bus with extreme violence, flipping it onto its side. Rescue workers arrived in force, and one person required resuscitation at the scene. The community declared a disaster. Rail network operator Infrabel stated that safety systems were active—barriers down and lights red—and the minibus reportedly drove onto the tracks despite warnings. The train driver initiated emergency braking but could not avoid the collision. No train passengers were injured; the 100 passengers were evacuated. Train service between Dendermonde and Londerzeel was suspended. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed condolences.
Nachrichten - WELTTrain crashes into school bus at level crossing in Belgium; multiple fatalities feared
A minibus serving as a school bus was struck by a train at a railway crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, on Tuesday morning around 8:15 a.m. The collision caused the bus to flip onto its side. Multiple injuries and fatalities are feared. Belgian rail operator Infrabel stated that safety systems were active, with barriers down and lights red at the time of the accident. The train, carrying approximately 100 passengers, was approaching Buggenhout station and had begun slowing down, but the impact was described as 'enormous.' The train driver attempted emergency braking but could not avoid the crash. Rescue workers arrived in large numbers, and the injured were taken to several hospitals. The community declared a disaster. Mayor Geert Hermans expressed shock, and Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin offered condolences. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Nachrichten - WELTTrain crashes into school bus at level crossing in Belgium, killing four
A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday morning in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium, when a minibus serving as a school bus was struck by a train at a level crossing. Belgian Transport Minister Jean-Luc Crucke confirmed four deaths: two children, the bus driver, and another adult. Two others were seriously injured. The train, traveling from Bruges, had begun slowing down for the nearby station but could not avoid the collision. The bus flipped onto its side. Rail operator Infrabel stated that safety systems were active—barriers were down and warning lights were red. The bus driver reportedly drove onto the tracks despite these warnings. The train carried about 100 passengers, none of whom were injured. Train services between Dendermonde and Londerzeel were suspended. The community declared a disaster, and officials expressed shock. The children attended a special education school.
Nachrichten - WELT