Tragedy in Belgium: School Bus Hit by Train at Level Crossing, Four Dead Including Two Teens
A morning collision between a train and a school bus at a level crossing in Buggenhout, Flanders, resulted in at least four fatalities, including two adolescents. The bus was carrying students from a special education institution.
The collision
On the morning of 26 May 2026, a passenger train struck a school minibus at a level crossing in the Flemish town of Buggenhout. The bus was carrying seven students aged between 12 and 15, along with an adult chaperone and the driver. It was providing transport as a subcontractor for De Lijn, the regional public transport operator.
Investigation underway
The Belgian public prosecutor's office launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. A spokesperson said that initial images show the crossing barriers were fully lowered and the red warning signal was lit, but she stressed that "further investigations are needed to clarify the exact dynamics of the accident." The public prosecutor personally visited the scene and announced that an expert in traffic accidents has been appointed, with forensic teams also deployed. Infrabel, responsible for the rail network, confirmed that the train driver had already decelerated from 120 km/h to around 90 km/h and engaged the emergency brake before impact, as the train approached a nearby station.
The images show the barriers were down and the red light on.
Federal police spokesperson An Berger confirmed that nine people were aboard the minibus and that railway police had conducted initial checks.
Victims and school
The four fatalities included two adolescents—aged 12 and 15—the driver, and the chaperone. Two others were seriously injured. The students attended Richtpunt Campus Buggenhout, a special education institution for children with behavioural, emotional, and autism spectrum disorders. School counsellor Kurt Moens expressed deep grief and solidarity:
I wish a lot of strength to the injured, and also a lot of courage, support and closeness to our students and teachers, for whom it is a very hard blow.
Mayor Geert Hermans described the toll as "particularly heavy" and said the town was "in shock."
Reactions
Messages of condolence poured in from across Belgium and Europe. Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he was "deeply shocked" and his thoughts were with the bereaved. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele called it "terrible news." Minister for Foreign Affairs Bernard Quintin wished strength to the injured. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola offered a moving tribute:
The pain and suffering are immense today. It is unbearable to imagine the pain that the tragic collision... has brought, on what should have been an ordinary morning.... Europe mourns with you.
Authorities stated that they are collecting witness testimonies and analyzing video footage from the level crossing cameras.
