School Bus and Train Collide at Belgian Crossing, Killing Four Including Two Teenagers

Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot provided further details on the casualties, also on X. "Four people have lost their lives, including two children," he said.

Local media, citing authorities, identified the dead as a 12- and a 15-year-old teenager, a 27-year-old chaperone, and the 49-year-old driver of the bus. The bus was transporting students at the time of the impact.

Casualties and Response

The force of the crash was described as extreme. "The impact was extremely violent," a source familiar with the incident said, according to Belgian reports.

Roughly 100 passengers aboard the train were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported among them, Infrabel stated. The train came to a halt after the collision, and rail services in the area were temporarily suspended.

The Flemish Minister-President also took to social media to express sympathy. His thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the tragedy, he wrote on X.

Rescue workers and police cordoned off the area as investigators began piecing together what led to the crash. Railway crossings are equipped with warning lights and barriers, though it was not immediately clear whether all systems were functioning correctly.

Investigation and Safety

Belgium has seen several fatal rail incidents at level crossings in recent years, though collisions involving school buses are relatively rare. The government has been working to improve crossing safety through infrastructure upgrades and public awareness campaigns.

Counselors and psychological support teams were being made available for students, families, and first responders. Local authorities asked the public to respect the privacy of the grieving community.