A passenger train crashed into a school bus in Belgium on Tuesday, leaving several "victims", the country's interior minister said.
"With great dismay, I learnt of the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train. My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones. I wish the injured much strength," Belgium's interior minister Bernard Quintin wrote on X.
Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden added: "My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the victims, the children, their families and everyone affected by this tragedy today. I wish everyone much warm closeness.
“Thank you to the emergency services and the police for their swift intervention and their sustained efforts on site,” Verlinden wrote on X, adding that, "The prosecutor's office is of course also continuing to follow up on this accident."
The minibus was reportedly travelling to Bruges and had seven child passengers, a member of staff and the driver. Meanwhile, around 100 passengers were believed to be onboard the train, travelling from Bruges, and were evacuated safely, RT India reported while citing local media.
According to the report, rail operator Infrabel said the barriers were down, and warning lights were active when the collision occurred. Rail services have been suspended between Dendermonde and Londerzeel, GB News reported.
Photos of the incident, showing a toppled school bus, emerged on social media. Sky News shared footage on X that showed emergency services at the scene after a train collided with a school bus in Buggenhout, Belgium.
