Several people were killed when a train hit a school minibus carrying seven children in northern Belgium on Tuesday, officials said.\n<\/p>\n
Two sources told AFP that there were several fatalities among those on the bus after the collision at a level crossing in the village of Buggenhout.\n<\/p>\n
Belgian media showed images of a badly damaged minibus lying on its side on a road next to a railway line, with tents set up by emergency workers around.\n<\/p>\n
A police spokeswoman told the media that seven children, a supervisor and a driver were aboard the minibus.<\/p>\n
Asked by AFP, the Belgian police refused to confirm the casualty toll from the incident. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact was extremely violent,\u201d spokesman Frederic Sacre said, describing the toll as \u201cdramatic\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt happened at around 8:08 am (0608 GMT) when a minibus was struck by a train that was due to stop at the next station, which was about a kilometre away,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Belgian interior minister\u00a0Bernard Quintin wrote on X that \u201cmy thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish the injured much strength,\u201d he wrote.\n<\/p>\n
AFP\n <\/p>\n
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