Four people have died after a school bus collided with a train at a level crossing in Belgium.
Emergency services rushed to the scene near the town of Buggenhout, around 25km north of Brussels.
Belgium Transport Minister Jean-Luc Crucke this morning confirmed that two teenagers, the bus driver and another adult were tragically killed in the incident.
The mini-bus was reportedly travelling to Bruges and had seven child passengers, a member of staff and the driver.
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Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said: "My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones. I wish the injured much strength. Thank our emergency services for their swift response on site."
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.
"The prosecutor's office is, of course, also continuing to follow up on this accident."
Emergency services pictured at the scene of an accident between a train and a minivan
|GETTY
Local media has reported that CCTV footage showed the level crossing where the crash took place was shut.
Thomas Baeken, from the Belgian rail track operator, told local media: "The collision took place at 8.08am.
"Footage shows that the barriers were down and the traffic lights were red.
"We do not know how the accident could have happened. That is for the police and the public prosecutor's office to investigate."
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A train crashed into a school bus, at the railway crossing Vierhuizen in Buggenhout
|GETTY
Thomas Baeken, from the train company involved in the crash Infrabel, confirmed to Sky News that at the moment of impact "the level crossing was closed."
He said: "We are trying to understand why the minivan was still going ahead. We don't know. The police is busy doing the investigation. And, of course, we will collaborate with this investigation."
Belgium, where a dense railway network criss-crosses towns and villages, has a history of accidents at level crossings.
However, the lowest number of deaths since 2020 had been recorded in 2025, with railway infrastructure operator Infrabel confirming five fatal incidents in that 12 month period.