A train has crashed into a minibus used for school transport in Buggenhout in East Flanders. Four people have been killed: two children aged 12 and 15, the 49-year-old driver and a 27-year-old attendant.
Five other children were seriously injured and have been taken to hospital. They were all in a critical condition, but are now stable.
The collision in Buggenhout involved a Belgian railways train and a minibus used for school transport and operated by a contractor of Flemish local transport company De Lijn, Belgian rail track operator Infrabel has confirmed. There are several fatalities, according to an official source VRT NEWS has spoken to. Emergency services are at the scene in large numbers.
The accident happened at around 8.15 am in Buggenhout, at the level crossing in Vierhuizen. It is not yet clear exactly how the accident happened. According to initial reports, the level crossing was closed at the time of the accident.
Police have confirmed nine people were in the minibus at the time of the accident: a driver, an attendant and seven children, mostly of secondary school age. The children were attending a school for special needs children. The school affected has been named as Richtpunt Campus Buggenhout.
Council launches helpline Buggenhout Council has launched a helpline. Anyone with questions about the accident can call 0800 99 110.
‘Barriers were down, traffic lights on red’ CCTV footage shows that the level crossing was closed at the time of the incident, Thomas Baeken of Belgian rail track operator Infrabel confirms. ‘The collision took place at 8.08 am. Footage shows that the barriers were down and the traffic lights were red. We do not know how the accident could have happened. That is for the police and the public prosecutor’s office to investigate,’ said Baeken. ‘We are, of course, cooperating with that investigation, because we want to understand how this tragic accident came about.’
The accident is the worst ever at a Belgian level crossing. It occurred approximately 1 kilometre from Buggenhout railway station. ‘The train was already braking. The train driver did apply the emergency brake, but was unable to avoid a collision.’
It has emerged that the train was operating at a speed of 90 km/h at the time of the impact.
Drone images show how the minibus was catapulted onto a drive
There is also damage to railway infrastructure. ‘But that is the least of our concerns. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends’ Baeken told VRT News.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. The local council has set up a press centre, where the mayor provided further details at noon.‘The toll is particularly heavy,’ said Mayor Geert Hermans. ‘We decided to inform all the bereaved and family members first before issuing this statement.’ ‘We are in shock; we are deeply affected by what happened today in Buggenhout,’ he said. The municipal emergency plan is in force.
The passengers on the train were swiftly evacuated. Around 100 passengers are now being looked after at the local fire station. One person is in shock and is receiving medical attention.
Train services between Dendermonde (East Flanders) and Londerzeel (Flemish Brabant) have been severely disrupted, and replacement buses are being deployed.