UMVA has learned that a speeding passenger train tore into a minibus packed with children in Belgium on Tuesday, crushing the vehicle and killing four people — including two children — and leaving five other children critically injured.
The violent collision unfolded during the morning rush near the town of Buggenhout, about 20 miles northwest of Brussels, and has been described as one of the country’s worst rail accidents in recent history.
Authorities say the minibus appeared to drive through a closed railway crossing barrier moments before the train, traveling at about 75 mph, slammed into it.
Security camera footage captured the bus moving across the tracks before impact, a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike.
Nine people were aboard the bus, including the driver, an escort, and two children ages 12 and 15 who lost their lives, while the five surviving children were hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to information obtained by UMVA, investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the crash, though they note the barrier was closed and the red light was on.
The driver appeared to have plowed through the crossing barrier, a fact that underscores the severity of the failure.
The rail operator confirmed that the crossing system was functioning properly at the time of the crash, adding that the impact was extremely violent and the train had no time to brake.
The minibus was overturned with its front end completely crushed, while the train suffered relatively minor damage.
Roughly 100 passengers were aboard the train, yet none were injured, a detail that highlights the razor‑thin margin between catastrophe and survival.
Rail traffic in the area was suspended as emergency crews responded, and the community is still reeling from the shock of the event.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the incident has sparked a national conversation about rail safety and the need for stricter enforcement at crossing points.
