Four people, including two teens and driver, killed after train collides with school bus in Belgium
Four people - including two teenagers - have been killed after a train collided with a school bus just outside of Brussels, in Belgium.
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Five children were also injured in the incident which occurred at a level crossing in the town of Buggenhout, East Flanders, at around 8am on Tuesday morning.
They are now said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Belgium's transport minister said two teenagers, aged 12 and 15, the bus driver, 49, and a chaperone, 27, were all killed in the crash.
The children were attending a school for special needs children, Belgian local media reported.
It is understood the train was carrying around 100 passengers. Nobody on the train was hurt, although one person was being treated for shock, a police spokeswoman said.
Local media has reported that CCTV footage showed the level crossing where the crash took place was shut.
Thomas Baeken, from the Beglian rail track operator, told VRT Nws: "The collision took place at 8.08 am. 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."
Photos from the scene show the bus turned on its side by the side of a road as emergency services rush to help.
The local council has set up a press centre, where the mayor will provide further details later today.
'Heartfelt sympathy'
Belgium's justice minister Annelies Verlinden said: "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."
Bernard Quintin, Minister of the Interior, said on social media: "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."
