A passenger train struck a school minivan at a level crossing in Belgium on Monday, killing four people including at least two pupils, Belgian authorities confirmed. The collision occurred in the municipality of Melsbroek, northeast of Brussels, during morning school transport hours.
The crash marks one of Belgium's deadliest rail crossing incidents in recent years, raising fresh questions about level crossing safety across the country's aging rail network. Belgium operates approximately 1,400 level crossings, many equipped with automatic barriers, though enforcement of crossing protocols has been inconsistent according to transport safety reviews.
Emergency services reported that the minivan was carrying schoolchildren at the time of impact. Two pupils died at the scene, along with two adults believed to be the driver and an accompanying staff member, according to the official release on Reuters. Several other children sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals; their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Belgian rail operator SNCB suspended service on the affected line while investigators from the country's rail accident investigation body examined the site. Preliminary reports have not determined whether the crossing barriers were functioning or whether the minivan attempted to cross against signals.