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Train Hits School Bus at Belgian Crossing, Four Die

5/26/2026

48 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A school minibus with seven pupils entered a crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, despite a red signal and barriers, and was hit by a train traveling 120 km/h.
The crash killed four, including two children, injured five children, and threw the bus 15 m into a pylon.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever called for silence, urged restraint, and noted Infrabel’s record of 150+ grade-crossing accidents in Belgium since 2020 with 36 deaths.

History

Historical Context

Belgium’s history of transport-related fatalities includes the death of footballer Albert Van Coile in a match collision and the 1963 world-championship cycling controversy where Rik Van Looy, a rider who claimed 12 Six-day race wins, was overtaken by Benoni Beheyt. Those high-profile incidents underpin today’s national safety ongoing push to modernise railway level-crossings.

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Story summary

A school minibus with seven pupils entered a crossing in Buggenhout, Belgium, despite a red signal and barriers, and was hit by a train traveling 120 km/h.
The crash killed four, including two children, injured five children, and threw the bus 15 m into a pylon.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever called for silence, urged restraint, and noted Infrabel’s record of 150+ grade-crossing accidents in Belgium since 2020 with 36 deaths.

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