SouthernWorldwide.com – A tragic accident occurred in Belgium on Tuesday when a speeding passenger train collided with a minibus carrying children, resulting in four fatalities, including two young individuals, and critically injuring five other children.
The devastating collision took place during the morning rush hour near Buggenhout, a town situated approximately 20 miles northwest of Brussels. Officials have characterized the event as one of the nation’s most severe rail incidents in recent memory.
Authorities have indicated that the minibus appears to have driven through a closed railway crossing barrier just moments before being struck by the train, which was traveling at an estimated speed of 75 mph. Security camera footage captured the bus crossing the tracks prior to the impact.
A total of nine individuals were on board the minibus. The East Flanders public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the bus driver, an escort, and two children aged 12 and 15 lost their lives. The five surviving children sustained serious injuries and were subsequently hospitalized.
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“What we do know is that the barrier was closed and the red light was on,” stated spokesperson Lisa De Wilde to reporters. She further added that investigators are diligently working to ascertain the precise cause of the crash.
Federal Police spokesperson An Berger reported that the driver appeared to have driven through the crossing barrier. Infrabel, the Belgian rail operator, confirmed that the crossing system was functioning correctly at the time of the incident.
“The impact was extremely violent,” remarked Infrabel spokesperson Frédéric Sacré to Belgian broadcaster RTBF. He noted that the train operator had “no time to brake” before the collision occurred.
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An Associated Press journalist present at the scene described the minibus as overturned with its front end completely destroyed, while the train sustained relatively minor damage.
Officials reported that approximately 100 passengers were on board the train, and fortunately, none of them sustained injuries. Rail traffic in the affected area was suspended to allow emergency crews to respond to the scene.
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Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever expressed his profound sorrow over the “horrific accident in Buggenhout” and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims through a social media post.
