Buggenhout, 26 May 2026
A train collided with a school bus at a railway crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, on Tuesday morning, leading to multiple fatalities, according to initial reports.
The collision occurred shortly after 8 a.m. at a railway crossing in Buggenhout, a municipality north of the capital Brussels, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the railway infrastructure company Infrabel.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in large numbers, with first responders working to treat the injured and secure the area.
Immediate Emergency Response
The impact of the crash was “extrem heftig” (extremely violent), according to initial accounts from the scene.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed his condolences on the social media platform X, stating, “Meine Gedanken sind bei den Opfern und ihren Angehörigen. Den Verletzten wünsche ich viel Kraft.”
The Flemish Minister-President also posted on X, saying his thoughts were with the victims, their families, and all those affected by the tragedy, using the words: “seine Gedanken seien bei den Opfern, ihren Familien und allen, die von dem Drama betroffen seien.”
Official Reactions
The railway crossing where the collision occurred has been closed to all traffic, and an investigation into the cause of the accident has been launched by the authorities.
Buggenhout, a small municipality in East Flanders, is situated about 20 kilometers north-west of Brussels along a regional railway line.
The exact number of casualties and the condition of the injured have not yet been officially released by emergency services.
Investigation Underway
Railway company Infrabel stated that the circumstances of the collision are being investigated in cooperation with the bus operator and local authorities.