A train collides with a minibus of children in Belgium and 4 people are dead

A train collides with a minibus of children in Belgium and 4 people are dead 1 of 6 | At least four people were killed in the crash, “including the 49-year-old driver of the bus, the 27-year-old chaperone, and two other children aged fifteen and twelve years”, a prosecutor’s office official said. The collision happened at a level crossing during the morning rush hour near the town of Buggenhout, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the capital, Brussels. (AP Video by Sam McNeil) 2 of 6 | emergency personnel work at a level crossing to move a van onto a flatbed truck after it collided with a train in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 3 of 6 | Police and rescue personal work around a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 4 of 6 | Police and residents gather around a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 5 of 6 | Police tape cordons off a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 6 of 6 | emergency personnel work at a level crossing where a train collided with a school van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 1 of 6 At least four people were killed in the crash, “including the 49-year-old driver of the bus, the 27-year-old chaperone, and two other children aged fifteen and twelve years”, a prosecutor’s office official said. The collision happened at a level crossing during the morning rush hour near the town of Buggenhout, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the capital, Brussels. (AP Video by Sam McNeil) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 6 | emergency personnel work at a level crossing to move a van onto a flatbed truck after it collided with a train in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 2 of 6 emergency personnel work at a level crossing to move a van onto a flatbed truck after it collided with a train in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 6 | Police and rescue personal work around a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 3 of 6 Police and rescue personal work around a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 6 | Police and residents gather around a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 4 of 6 Police and residents gather around a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 6 | Police tape cordons off a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 5 of 6 Police tape cordons off a level crossing where a train collided with a van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 6 of 6 | emergency personnel work at a level crossing where a train collided with a school van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) 6 of 6 emergency personnel work at a level crossing where a train collided with a school van in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Marius Burgelman) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Buggenhout, Belgium (AP) — A train traveling at high speed hit a minibus crossing a railway in Belgium on Tuesday, killing four people, including two children, and badly injuring five other children in what officials called one of the worst rail accidents in the country’s history. It appeared that the minibus drove through the closed crossing barrier, officials said. A security camera showed the bus, carrying nine people, was moving when the train hit it. The collision happened during morning rush hour near Buggenhout town, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the capital, Brussels. The bus driver and an escort were killed along with two children aged 12 and 15, said Lisa De Wilde, spokesperson for the East Flanders public prosecutor’s office. She said the injured children were hospitalized in serious condition.De Wilde told journalists the cause of the crash hadn’t been established. “What we do know is that the barrier was closed and the red light was on,” she said.Federal Police spokesperson An Berger said the minibus driver appeared to have plowed through the barrier. Infrabel said the crossing was working correctly. 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ 1 MIN READ The train had been traveling at an estimated 120 kph (75 mph) as it approached the crossing and had “no time to brake,” said Frédéric Sacré, a spokesperson for Belgian rail operator Infrabel.“The impact was extremely violent,” Sacré told the RTBF public broadcaster. An Associated Press journalist at the scene said the bus was toppled on its side with its front section crushed. The train was relatively unscathed.It was believed about 100 passengers were aboard the train and that none were hurt. Rail traffic in the area was halted. Local officials stood for a minute’s silence after a news conference.In a post on social media, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he was “deeply moved by the horrific accident in Buggenhout. My thoughts go out to the affected families.” children played basketball and rode bicycles at a school not far from the scene.——Cook reported from Brussels. Mike Corder contributed to this report from The Hague, Netherlands.