4 dead, 5 hurt in a crash between a train and a school bus, Belgian officials say

BUGGENHOUT, Belgium (AP) — Four people, including two children, were killed in a crash between a train and a bus in northern Belgium, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Five children were taken to hospital in a serious condition, they said.

The accident happened at a level crossing during the morning rush hour near the town of Buggenhout, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the capital, Brussels.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

BUGGENHOUT, Belgium (AP) — Several people have been hurt in a collision between a train and a minibus carrying children in northern Belgium, federal police said Tuesday.

The accident happened at a level crossing during the morning rush hour near the town of Buggenhout, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of the capital, Brussels. 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 four people were killed, but police would not confirm whether there were any deaths “out of respect for the families of those implicated.”

VTM said the barriers at the level crossing were closed but that the bus appeared to try to cross anyway and was hit by the train. Seven schoolchildren were aboard the minibus, with a driver and an escort.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene said that badly damaged bus lay toppled on its side. Forensic experts in protective white suits and wearing gloves were taking photos of the scene. A white pop-up tent was erected nearby. The train was relatively unscathed.

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."

This video grab shows rescue workers on the scene of a crash between a train and vehicle in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (VTM via AP)

Rescue workers on the scene of a crash between a train and vehicle in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Koen Baten)

Rescue workers on the scene of a crash between a train and vehicle in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Koen Baten)

Rescue workers on the scene of a crash between a train and vehicle in Buggenhout, Belgium, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Koen Baten)

TOKYO (AP) — Shinnosuke Abe has resigned as manager of Japan's storied baseball team Yomiuri Giants after being arrested for the alleged assault of his teenage daughter.

The 47-year-old Abe, who was later released, apologized “for causing trouble because of my family matters” at a news conference on Tuesday where he announced he was stepping down as manager.

The Yomiuri newspaper, which owns the team, said Abe allegedly grabbed his 18-year-old daughter by the collar and threw her down to the floor as he tried to stop her fighting with her younger sister at home in Tokyo on Monday.

The daughter, whose name has not been released, then contacted a child guidance center after asking artificial intelligence app ChatGPT what to do, she said in a statement released Tuesday. To her surprise, she said, the child center reported the alleged incident to police and police showed up at their house hours later.

“I broke down in tears seeing my father apprehended,” she said.

She said she was not injured and that she and her father reconciled, so “please do not worry."

Yomiuri said Abe admitted to the allegation against him and was quoted as saying that he lost his temper when he saw the two girls fighting.

Abe led the Central League in batting average and RBIs in 2012, and reached 2,000 career hits in 2017. He retired in 2019 and became team manager in 2024.

Offensive chief coach Hideki Hashigami has been appointed acting manager, the Giants said.

Giants manager Shinnosuke Abe reacts at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Kyodo News via AP)