A devastating accident occurred in the city of Buggenhout, located in Belgium's East Flanders province, this Tuesday morning, leaving four people dead after a school bus collided with a train at a railway crossing.
The Incident
The collision took place at approximately 8:15 a.m. local time on Station Street. The impact was severe, causing a complete suspension of rail traffic between Dendermonde and Londerzeel. To minimize disruption for commuters, replacement buses were quickly arranged for affected passengers.
Heartbreaking Loss
The bus was transporting seven students from a secondary school for special education, accompanied by a chaperone and a driver. Belgium's Federal Minister of Mobility, Jean-Luc Crucke, confirmed the tragic loss of two teenagers, the driver, and the chaperone.
Investigation into Safety Measures
Infrabel, the manager of Belgium's railway infrastructure, provided critical details regarding the crossing's status at the time of the crash. According to a spokesperson, Thomas Baeken, the warning lights were red and the barriers were fully lowered when the bus entered the crossing. Baeken described the impact as "very violent," noting that the train driver had attempted to apply the emergency brakes in a desperate effort to avoid the collision.
European Response
The tragedy has drawn reactions from the highest levels of European leadership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her profound grief online, stating she was "heartbroken" by the event. "My deepest condolences go out to the victims' families and their loved ones. Today, Europe grieves with Belgium," she shared.
Local authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to this catastrophic event.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
