Further details have emerged regarding the accident at a rail level crossing in Buggenhout (East Flanders) on Tuesday morning when a train crashed into a school minibus killing two adults and two children.
The minibus carrying the victims approached the level crossing from a road parallel to the rail line and then turned left towards the crossing. The level crossing’s barriers were down and the lights were at red, but the approaching train was able to crash into the vehicle catapulting it into the air.
An investigation to understand and explain the cause of the accident is under way.
Victims from across the local area
Buggenhout in East Flanders is located where the province intersects with Antwerp Province and Flemish Brabant. The victims all hailed from the wider area.
The two pupils, both boys, who died hailed from nearby Bornem in Antwerp Province.
The mayor of Bornem, Greet De Bruyn, has reacted with deep sadness: “It is extremely painful. Naturally, there is only one thing we can do now, and that is to express our condolences to all the victims. It is a particularly tragic accident.”
Over the coming days, she will look into how the families involved can be supported.
Further details have also emerged about the five injured. They are a 13-year-old boy from Bornem, a 14-year-old boy from Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht (East Flanders), a 14-year-old boy from Muizen (Mechelen – Antwerp Province), a 15-year-old boy from Temse (East Flanders) and a 15-year-old boy from Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht.
Injured children are being treated in hospitals in Asse (Flemish Brabant) and Aalst (East Flanders).
The injured children, all boys, have been taken to AZORG in Asse and to two hospitals in Aalst, Christoph D'Haese, mayor of the city of Aalst, says. Yesterday evening, the city council observed a minute’s silence. “We all want to take a moment of silence in our city council and in each of our hearts,” the mayor said.
Prosecutor’s Office provides update on investigation: “Bus driver had a clean criminal record; there were no convictions”
During a press conference yesterday evening, the Prosecutor’s Office provided an update on the investigation, which is still ongoing. “We can confirm that the train driver tested negative in both a breath and saliva test.”
"An autopsy is still being carried out on the bus driver’s body. He had a clean criminal record and no convictions. We are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this."
That statement is in line with what transport company De Lijn said Tuesday afternoon. "The driver has been doing this for a long time; he has an impeccable track record."
Flemish PM Matthias Diependaele lays flowers at scene of the accident
Flemish PM Matthias Diependaele (nationalist N-VA), Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) and Mayor of Buggenhout Geert Hermans have laid flowers at the scene of the accident.
‘Parents want their children to be safe for the day when they set off for school,’ said Diependaele. ‘This accident makes that anxiety – which I myself also feel as a parent – very tangible.’
Various authorities across northern Belgium have opened condolence books. The municipalities of Buggenhout and Bornem are flying flags at half-mast.