Four people killed in train collision with Belgian school bus

The ⁠accident occurred early on Tuesday ​at a level-crossing about one kilometer ​from Buggenhout station.

Belgium, ⁠where a dense railway network criss-crosses towns and villages, ​has a history of accidents ​at ⁠level-crossings. File picture: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire

Four ​people, including two teenagers, were killed ‌in Belgium on Tuesday when a train crashed into a school bus on a level-crossing near the town of ​Buggenhout, RTL TV reported, citing Transport Minister Jean-Luc ​Crucke.

The victims also included the bus ⁠driver and an adult accompanying the pupils, ​ RTL quoted Crucke as saying. Two other people ​were also severely injured, he added.

The accident occurred early on Tuesday at a level-crossing near Buggenhout station, ​about 23km from Brussels. ​Crucke said security cameras showed that the crossing's security ‌barriers ⁠had come down.

Interior minister Bernard Quintin said on X that "it is with deep sadness that I learned of the tragic accident that ​occurred in ​Buggenhout."

Spokespeople for ⁠the Belgian police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Belgium, ​where a dense railway network criss-crosses ​towns ⁠and villages, has a history of accidents at level-crossings.

Five people died in such accidents ⁠in ​2025, railway infrastructure operator Infrabel ​says on its website, the lowest number recorded since ​2020.