Train Crash, Belgium
Forensic Police officers walk next to the damaged bus as they inspect at the site of an accident after a train crashed into a school bus, at the railway crossing Vierhuizen in Buggenhout, some 20kms north of Brussels on May 26, 2026. Four people, including two children were killed when a train hit a school minibus in northern Belgium, the country's deputy prime minister said. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP via Getty Images)

Four Dead After Horror Train Crash Involving School Bus

Four people, including two students, died after a train collided with a school minivan in Belgium, leaving several others critically injured.

Four people have tragically died following a train crash in the Belgian town of Buggenhout.

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The train collided with a school minivan in the devastating incident, killing the driver, a chaperone, and two students aged 12 and 15.

Authorities confirmed that around 100 passengers were onboard the train at the time, though no fatalities were reported among them.

Train Crash Kills Schoolchildren and Bus Staff in Belgium

The fatal collision occurred on the morning of Tuesday, May 26, roughly 15 miles northwest of Brussels.

Local prosecutors have since opened an investigation into the crash, which happened at a railway level crossing.

According to Reuters, the deceased driver was 49 years old, while the chaperone was 27. Officials have not yet publicly identified the victims.

Reports state that nine people traveled inside the school minivan at the time of the collision, including seven children believed to be middle school and high school students.

In addition to the four fatalities, emergency crews transported the remaining five students to hospital with serious injuries.

Authorities say the children remain in critical but stable condition.

The students had reportedly been heading to Richtpunt Campus Buggenhout, a special education school located less than a mile from the crossing.

Officials Investigate How Bus Entered Crossing

The collision occurred at approximately 8:08 AM.

Thomas Baeken of rail infrastructure operator Infrabel said investigators do not understand how the accident happened, as the crossing barriers had lowered and warning lights were active.

Baeken explained that the train driver applied the emergency brake but could not stop in time to avoid the impact.

A railway spokesperson described the collision as "extremely violent," despite the train's emergency braking system activating before impact.

Authorities are now trying to determine why the minivan remained on the tracks.

"What could have been a beautiful spring morning suddenly turned into a pitch-black day," East Flanders Provincial Deputy Kurt Moens said.

Of the roughly 100 passengers onboard the train, officials transported one person to hospital suffering from shock.

"Deeply moved by the horrific accident in Buggenhout," Bart De Wever wrote on X. "My thoughts go out to the affected families."

Belgium has experienced multiple serious level-crossing accidents in recent years.

According to Infrabel, 36 people have died in 168 railway crossing accidents across the country since 2021.