Fatal collision in Belgium: Four dead after school minibus strikes train
Belgian and European officials express condolences as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash that claimed the lives of two schoolchildren, a chaperone, and the driver.
Four people have died following a collision between a school minibus and a train at a level crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, shortly after 08:00 local time on 26 May 2026. The victims were identified as two schoolchildren, a chaperone, and the minibus driver.
Belgian mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke confirmed that the barriers at the crossing were down at the time of the incident. Federal police spokeswoman An Berger stated that the minibus driver had been travelling on a street parallel to the railway before turning left onto the tracks while the barriers were already lowered.
The vehicle was transporting seven children and adults to a special education school. Berger noted that the passengers were mainly secondary school students. A train was passing through Buggenhout at the time, resulting in the fatal impact.
No passengers on the train sustained injuries, although one individual was treated for shock. Images from the scene depicted the minibus lying on its side in the small town, located to the north-west of Brussels near Aalst.
Flemish education minister Zuhal Demir and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued statements of condolence, with von der Leyen stating that Europe was grieving with Belgium. An investigation into the specific circumstances of the driver’s decision to proceed is expected to follow.
