Several killed after train collides with school minibus in Belgium, local media report

SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE reported to have been killed after a train collided with a school bus in Belgium. 

The incident happened at a level crossing in the town of Buggenhout in East Flanders, around 28km north of Brussels. 

“With great dismay, I learnt of the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train,” the country’s interior minister Bernard Quintin wrote on X.

“My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones. I wish the injured much strength.”

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Flemish broadcaster VRT NEWS is reporting that there have been several fatalities, citing an official source.

A spokesman for the rail network operator Infrabel told AFP the collision happened at around 8.08am (7.08am Irish time). 

“A minibus was struck by a train that was due to stop at the next station, which was about a kilometre away,” spokesman Frederic Sacre said.

He added that the impact was “extremely violent” and described the toll as “dramatic”.

Belgian police have not confirmed any fatalities so far. 

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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