Four killed as school minibus collides with train in Belgium
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- A collision between a train and a school minibus in Buggenhout, Belgium, resulted in the deaths of two children (aged 12 and 15) and two adults, with five other children critically injured but stable in hospital.
- The minibus, carrying seven children, a 49-year-old driver, and a 27-year-old chaperone, was crossing a level crossing while the barriers were down and lights red, leading to the crash with a train traveling at about 90 km/h (55 mph).
- No one on the train was injured, although one person was treated for shock; the train was slowing down approaching Buggenhout station at the time of the accident.
- Investigations are ongoing, with CCTV footage confirming the barriers were down and the minibus struck the barrier before the collision; the train driver passed a breathalyser test, and a post-mortem is being conducted on the minibus driver.
- Officials and ministers expressed condolences, emphasizing that it is too early to assign responsibility while investigations continue.