BRUSSELS, May 26, 2026 — 17:05 BST
Four children have been killed and at least two others seriously injured after a train collided with a school bus at a level crossing in Belgium on Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders confirmed.
Emergency services rushed to the scene near the town of Automne, approximately 40km south of Brussels, where the bus was carrying students home from a local primary school. The train struck the rear of the vehicle. A provincial spokesperson said the crossing’s barrier system was under review.
UPDATE 17:05 BST: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “heartbroken” by the incident. “My thoughts are with the children, their families, and all those affected,” she posted on social media. Belgian authorities have opened a formal investigation.
Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said it was treating the crash as an accident and that no criminal suspects were currently in custody. The train driver was unharmed and is cooperating with investigators.
The victims’ ages have not been officially released pending notification of relatives. Local media reported the children were aged between 8 and 12.
Transport Minister Georges Dallemagne said a full independent inquiry would be launched. “We owe it to the families to understand exactly what happened at that crossing,” he said. Rail operator Infrabel confirmed the barrier alarms triggered correctly and said its data recorder had been seized by investigators.
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