In brief
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde joined the memorial in Buggenhout, giving support to the grieving community.
Scorching heat forced the ceremony from the church square into the Sint-Martinus church, with around 225 inside and 100 watching outside.
School director Jolien Roef and colleagues said the void left by the accident is indescribable and pledged lasting support beyond the cameras.
Mayor Geert Hermans stressed that the community will not let go of the victims' families and that everyone must process the tragedy together.
On 26 May, a school bus struck a closed level crossing barrier, was derailed and hit by a train, killing four: the driver, a supervisor and two pupils.
One month after the crash
On 26 May, a school bus from Richtpunt Buggenhout hit the closed barrier of a level crossing in Buggenhout, East Flanders, deforming it. A train then struck the bus. The crash killed the 49-year-old driver, a 27-year-old supervisor, and two pupils aged 12 and 15. Exactly one month later, on 26 June, the community gathered to remember them.
Ceremony moved indoors by heat
The memorial was originally to be held on the square outside the Sint-Martinus church, but was moved inside because of scorching temperatures. About 225 people attended inside the church, including victims’ families, students, school staff, emergency service representatives, and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, who arrived shortly before 19:00. Another 100 people watched a live broadcast on a large screen outside, sheltered under canopies.
Messages of remembrance and support
Buggenhout’s mayor Geert Hermans opened the ceremony.
“Remembering means more than looking back. It also means believing we will not forget the victims, and that we will support the bereaved even after the cameras have left.”
Four school representatives, including director Jolien Roef, then addressed the gathering.
“The bus accident has left an indescribable void. A void that can be felt in our hallways, in our classrooms, in the playground, and in the hearts of everyone who is part of the school community.”
The school described its deliberate choice in the past month to centre serenity, calm and humanity as the best basis to get through the difficult time together. It assured families and still-recovering pupils that its care would not end with the memorial and that the victims would never be forgotten.
Aftermath and healing
The ceremony ended with a minute of silence, bagpipe music and the release of white balloons in tribute to the four victims. Afterwards, those directly affected, local residents and first responders gathered in a separate room for private conversations, which the mayor hopes will be healing. The King and Queen also attended that moment. The municipality said 10 people have already sought psychological support and that help remains available for anyone who needs it later.