King and Queen Lead Memorial for Buggenhout Bus Tragedy Victims
Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde attended a memorial service in Buggenhout on Friday, exactly one month after a devastating collision between a train and a school minibus claimed four lives and left a community in mourning. The service, held at Sint-Niklaaskerk, brought together approximately 225 guests including bereaved families, students, school staff, and first responders in a solemn tribute to the victims.
The Tragedy
On 26 May 2026, a minibus operated by private company ‘t Ros Beiaard under contract with De Lijn was struck by an SNCB passenger train at a level crossing on Stationsstraat in Buggenhout, East Flanders. The bus was carrying nine people — a driver, a school escort, and seven students from Richtpunt Campus Buggenhout, a school for special needs education. According to VRT NWS, four people were killed: driver Nourredine (49), escort Anke Robrecht (27), and two students — Arthur (12), a Ukrainian refugee, and Mohamed Reda (15). Five other students were seriously injured.
Infrabel, Belgium’s rail infrastructure manager, confirmed that the level crossing’s barriers were down and the red light was active at the time of the collision, ruling out a technical malfunction.
A Community United in Grief
The memorial service, moved indoors due to extreme heat, opened with remarks from Mayor Geert Hermans (CD&V). “Remembering means more than looking back,” he said. “It also means promising that we will not forget the victims. That we will surround the bereaved, even after the cameras have left.”
School representatives from Richtpunt Campus Buggenhout delivered an emotional tribute. “The bus accident has left an indescribable void,” they said. “A void felt in our hallways, in our classrooms, on the playground, and in the hearts of everyone who is part of this school community.” The service concluded with a minute of silence, bagpipe music, and the release of white balloons.
Prior Complaints and Systemic Questions
In the weeks following the crash, VRT NWS reported that multiple complaints had been filed about the bus driver’s driving behavior before the accident. Former bus escorts testified that they had raised concerns about reckless driving, excessive speed, and mobile phone use — complaints they say were shared with the bus company and, in some cases, with De Lijn. One former escort stated: “I have never felt safe. Never.”
De Lijn CEO Ann Schoubs has maintained that the company only knew of two minor speeding violations in a zone 30 before the accident. However, Deputy Kurt Moens (N-VA) confirmed that complaints were passed to the bus company and sometimes to De Lijn, raising questions about what was known and why no action was taken.
Political Fallout and Calls for Reform
The tragedy exposed tensions within the Flemish government over responsibility for special education transport. Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder and Education Minister Zuhal Demir — both from the N-VA party — have publicly disputed who bears responsibility for oversight. The Children’s Rights Commissioner, Caroline Vrijens, highlighted three persistent problems: excessively long bus rides, poor quality of service, and inadequate status for drivers and escorts.
Union representatives have called the accident “a painful wake-up call from years of budget cuts,” while the family of Mohamed Reda has initiated legal proceedings through lawyer Sven Mary, seeking truth and accountability.
What’s Next
The investigation by the East Flanders public prosecutor’s office remains ongoing. De Lijn has agreed to implement a centralized complaints register for all subcontractors to enable faster intervention. Meanwhile, the tragedy has reignited debate about Belgium’s 1,601 level crossings — one of the highest densities in Europe — with renewed calls to accelerate their closure or upgrade. For the communities of Buggenhout and Bornem, the search for answers continues alongside the slow work of healing.