Two teenagers, the school bus driver and another adult were killed when a school bus collided with a train this morning in Bougenhout, Flanders, at a level crossing, RTL reported, citing the Belgian transport minister.
Federal police spokeswoman Anne Berge told VRT earlier that the school bus was carrying seven students, the driver and a female attendant, and that none of the train passengers were injured.
"Europe mourns with Belgium. My heart breaks for the tragic accident... My condolences to the families of the victims and their loved ones," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
See live footage from the scene of the tragedy:
According to Belgian media, the train was about a kilometer away from the station and had already started to brake. At 8:08, the school bus entered the level crossing, while information indicates that the barriers were closed. A spokesman for Infrabel, the Belgian rail infrastructure authority, said: “The images show that the barriers were closed and the traffic light was red. We do not know how the accident occurred.”
The number of dead and injured is not yet known. About 100 train passengers have already been evacuated and are receiving assistance. The school bus, a small van, was reportedly carrying seven students, the driver and a guide. According to information from the federal police, the bus was heading to a special school, where secondary school students attend.
Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin expressed his sadness through a post on social media.
"It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was hit by a train. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. I wish strength to the injured and thank the emergency services for their immediate intervention," he wrote.
Belgium's Minister of Justice, Annelies Verlinden, issued a similar message, expressing her "sincere condolences" to the families and all those affected by the tragedy.
Source: protothema.gr
