At least four people, including two children, were killed when a high-speed train struck a minibus carrying children with special needs at a railway crossing in Belgium, authorities said Tuesday.

The accident occurred during the morning rush hour near the town of Buggenhout, about 30 kilometers northwest of Brussels. The minibus, carrying nine people, allegedly drove through closed crossing barriers.

Frederic Sacre, a spokesperson for rail operator Infra-Bel, stated that the train was traveling at an estimated 120 kph (75 mph) and had “no time to brake.” He described the impact as “extremely violent.”

Lisa De Wilde, spokesperson for the East Flanders public prosecutor’s office, confirmed the deaths of the 49-year-old driver, a 27-year-old escort, and two children aged 12 and 15. Five other children were seriously injured and hospitalized. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though the barrier was reportedly closed and the red light was on.

Federal Police spokesperson An Berger noted that the minibus driver appeared to have plowed through the barrier. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed condolences. About 100 train passengers were unharmed. Rail traffic in the area was halted.

Source: www.aljazeera.com