Society News

Train hits a school minibus at a Belgian crossing: two children and two adults killed

A train hit a minibus carrying children at a level crossing near Buggenhout, about 30 km northwest of Brussels, during the morning rush hour on Tuesday, May 26. Four people were killed: the 49-year-old driver, a 27-year-old escort and two children aged 12 and 15. Five other children were taken to hospital in serious condition.

Al Jazeera said the minibus was carrying nine people, including special needs children, and drove through closed barriers at the Vierhuizen crossing. Rail operator Infrabel estimated the train was travelling at about 120 km/h and had “no time to brake”; its roughly 100 passengers were not reported hurt.

“What we do know is that the barrier was closed and the red light was on.” — Lisa De Wilde, prosecutor's office, via Al Jazeera

Prime Minister Bart De Wever said he was “deeply moved,” and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “heartbroken.” CTV News, carrying the Associated Press, described a school bus colliding with a train in northern Belgium. New Zealand's 1News added that Infrabel said the crossing was working correctly.

How each outlet framed it

• Al Jazeera — the victims' ages, the closed barrier and reactions from Belgian and EU leaders.
• CTV News — a short AP wire account of the toll.
• 1News — the rail operator's statement that the crossing worked as it should.

What we don't know yet: why the minibus entered a crossing that was closed with its red light on; prosecutors said the cause had not been established.