“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.
“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.
The mayor of Buggenhout, Geert Hermans, concluded a press conference by calling for a minute of silence to honour the victims.