Four people, including two children, were killed after a high-speed train collided with a school minibus in Buggenhout, Belgium, on May 26, authorities said.
The crash occurred at a railway crossing near the town, located about 30 kilometres northwest of Brussels. According to Belgian officials, the victims included two students aged 12 and 15, the bus driver and an adult chaperone. Five other children were seriously injured and taken to hospital.
According to reports, the minibus was transporting children to a special educational needs school when it was struck by the train during the morning rush hour. Officials said surveillance footage showed the crossing barriers were down and warning lights were active at the time of the collision.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as rail traffic in the area was suspended. Around 100 passengers were reportedly on board the train, though no major injuries among train passengers were immediately reported. Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
