Four killed in Belgium as minibus breaches closed railway barrier

At least four people, including two children, were killed and five others injured on Tuesday morning when a minibus carrying special needs children collided with a train near Buggenhout, Belgium. The incident occurred during the morning rush hour when the vehicle drove through closed crossing barriers and red warning lights at a railway crossing approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Brussels.

The minibus, which was transporting nine people in total, was struck by a train travelling at an estimated 120 kph. Frederic Sacre, a spokesperson for the Belgian rail operator Infra-Bel, stated that the train had no time to brake due to the vehicle’s sudden appearance and high speed. “The impact was extremely violent,” Sacre told the RTBF public broadcaster.

East Flanders public prosecutor’s office spokesperson Lisa De Wilde confirmed the identities of the deceased, which include the 49-year-old minibus driver, a 27-year-old escort, and two children aged 12 and 15. Five other children were injured and hospitalised in serious condition. De Wilde noted that while the cause of the crash remains under investigation, it is confirmed that the barrier was closed and the red light was active at the time of the collision.

Federal Police spokesperson An Berger clarified the vehicle’s trajectory, stating the minibus originated from Kerkhofstraat, a road parallel to the railway, and turned left toward Vierhuizen, crossing the railway at a point that was closed. Berger added that the driver appeared to have ploughed through the barrier before the impact. Approximately 100 passengers were aboard the train, and none were reported injured.

Rail traffic in the area was halted following the incident. Prime Minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued statements of condolence via social media platform X, expressing their deep concern for the affected families.