On Tuesday morning, a train collided with a school bus in the Flemish municipality of Buggenhout, east of Antwerp, leaving several people injured or killed, according to Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin.
In a statement posted on X, Quintin wrote: “With great dismay, I learnt of the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train. My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones. I wish the injured much strength.”
The incident occurred at a level crossing in the rural area, known for its agricultural landscape and proximity to the Scheldt River. Local emergency services, including fire brigades and medical teams from across the province of East Flanders, rushed to the scene.
Details of the Crash
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus was carrying students from a nearby secondary school when it was hit by a passenger train on the line connecting Dendermonde to Lokeren. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but authorities have set up a crisis cell in Buggenhout’s town hall to coordinate the response.
Belgian rail operator Infrabel has launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, focusing on the functioning of the level crossing barriers and the visibility of the train. The stretch of track is known for its frequent use by commuter trains, and the crossing is equipped with automatic warning lights and barriers.
This tragedy echoes previous rail accidents in Belgium, such as the 2016 collision in Hermalle-sous-Huy, which highlighted ongoing concerns about level crossing safety across the country. The European Union has long pushed for harmonised rail safety standards, and this incident may reignite debates in Brussels about funding for infrastructure upgrades.
Buggenhout’s mayor, Karel Van den Berghe, expressed his shock and called for a thorough investigation. “Our community is in mourning. We will do everything to support the families affected,” he said in a local radio interview.
The accident also draws attention to broader issues of school transport safety in Europe. While Belgium has relatively strict regulations for school buses, including mandatory seat belts and driver training, level crossings remain a vulnerable point. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years in France and Germany, prompting calls for better integration of rail and road traffic management.
As news of the crash spread, European leaders offered condolences. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted her sympathy, saying she was “deeply saddened by the news from Buggenhout.”
For now, the focus remains on the victims and their families. Local hospitals in Dendermonde and Aalst have been placed on alert to receive the injured. The community of Buggenhout, a town of around 14,000 residents, is bracing for a difficult day as more details emerge.
