“What heartbreaking news,” Flemish education minister Zuhal Demir posted on social media. “My thoughts are with all the victims, their families and everyone closely involved.”
“Today, Europe grieves with Belgium,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The train was slowing down at the time of the collision on its approach to Buggenhout station, Thomas Baeken, a spokesman for Belgian rail network Infrabel, told public broadcaster VRT.
He added that first indications from CCTV footage confirmed that the lights on the level crossing were red and the barrier was down. Other sources who saw the footage told Belgian media that the minibus could be seen striking the barrier before the crash.
“How this accident could have happened, we don’t know. That is for the police and the public prosecutor’s office to investigate,” Baeken said.
Another Flemish minister, Annick De Ridder, told Belgian TV it was terrible news and too early to talk of responsibility at this stage.
In a press conference late on Tuesday afternoon, the public prosecutor’s office said the train driver had passed a breathalyser test and a post mortem examination was being conducted on the minibus driver, who had no criminal convictions.
No further details were given about the condition of the five children in hospital.
King Philippe has expressed his gratitude to the emergency services, and wished everyone involved “a lot of strength and support in the face of this dramatic event”.
The mayor of Buggenhout, Geert Hermans, concluded a press conference by calling for a minute of silence to honour the victims.
