Several hurt in crash between train and minibus carrying children in Belgium

Several people have been hurt in a collision between a train and a minibus carrying children in northern Belgium, police said.

The accident happened at a level crossing near the town of Buggenhout, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) north-west of the capital, Brussels, on Tuesday.

Details about how it unfolded were not immediately clear.

Police said that “several people” were hurt in the accident, but that they are unable to provide further details.

Belgian private broadcaster VTM said that a number of people were killed.

Prosecutors and forensic and transport experts were due to arrive at the scene.

In a social media post, Belgian interior minister Bernard Quintin expressed “great sadness” over “the tragic accident in Buggenhout, where a school bus was struck by a train”.

“My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones.”