A morning school run ended in tragedy in Belgium on Tuesday after a train struck a minibus carrying children at a level crossing in the town of Buggenhout, killing several people, local media reported.
The collision occurred shortly after 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Nine people were on board the minibus at the time — seven children, a chaperone, and the driver.
Barriers Were Down When the Crash Happened
Federal police spokeswoman An Berger confirmed the crash to Flemish public broadcaster VRT, adding a detail that deepens the tragedy: the barriers at the level crossing were down when the collision took place.
That single fact raises immediate questions about what went wrong. A vehicle crossing a railway line with barriers already lowered suggests either a mechanical failure, a serious misjudgement, or circumstances that investigators will now work urgently to establish.
No passengers on board the train were reported injured.
Families Being Notified
Berger said she could not immediately provide details on the victims, as families of those on the minibus were being informed first — standard procedure in incidents of this nature, but a reminder that behind every confirmed fatality is a family receiving the worst news of their lives.
Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir was among the first officials to respond publicly. “What heartbreaking news,” she posted on social media. “My thoughts are with all the victims, their families and everyone closely involved.”
A Community in Shock
Buggenhout is a quiet municipality in the East Flemish province of Belgium. A crash of this nature — involving children on their way to school — will cut through the entire community.
Belgian emergency services and federal police are at the scene. An investigation into the cause of the collision has been launched.
This story is developing.
