Brussels — A train slammed into a school minibus in Belgium on Tuesday, killing at least four people including two children, according to authorities.
"A tragic collision between a train and a school bus took place in Buggenhout this morning. Four people have been killed, including two children," Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prevot wrote on X.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever posted that he was "deeply moved by the horrific accident ... My thoughts go out to the affected families."
"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," Interior Minister Bernard Quintin wrote earlier on X.
Images from the scene in Belgium's central Flanders region showed a badly damaged minibus lying on its side on a road next to a railway line, with tents set up by emergency workers around. The commuter train remained halted on the tracks.
Police spokeswoman An Berger told Belgian media that seven children, a supervisor and a driver were on the minibus, adding that no one on the train was hurt.
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In a statement, the police said the minibus was transporting students from a secondary education school for children with special needs. The police identified those killed as the 49-year-old driver of the minibus, a 27-year-old assistant and two children, adding that five other children were seriously injured but hospitalized in stable condition.
"The impact was extremely violent," Frederic Sacre, a spokesman for Belgium's Infrabel rail agency, told AFP, adding that the train had been traveling at 75 miles per hour.
"The minibus was thrown about 15 meters (50 feet) into a metal pylon," he said.
Sacre said video from the scene showed that road barriers at the railway crossing had been closed and a red light was showing at the time of the incident.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen joined in the stream of commiserations from politicians, saying she was "heartbroken" by the collision.
"My deepest condolences go out to the victims' families and their loved ones," she posted online. "Today, Europe grieves with Belgium."
