Tragic Train Crash in Brussels, Belgium
Two commuter trains collided just outside Brussels, Belgium, on Monday morning. At least 18 people reportedly have died and another 80 are injured. The crash occurred during the morning rush hour amid freezing and snowy conditions.
Authorities are reportedly investigating the accident while focusing on whether human or mechanical error was the cause.
According to the governor of the province of Flemish Brabant, Lodewijk De Witte, one train "apparently did not heed a stop light.”
Jochen Goovaerts, spokesman for the Belgian National Railways, said his agency would not discuss the cause of the accident until they had an outcome in their investigation.
In total, both trains were carrying about 300 passengers when they crashed. Train cars were reportedly thrown from the tracks and torn open, cutting overhead power lines and destroying a maintenance shed in the process.
Officials are reportedly having difficulty identifying all of the bodies. According to reports, the drivers of the trains have not been found. Patricia Lallemand, 40, reportedly said, "When we came out we saw dead bodies lying next to the tracks, some mutilated.”
Seriously injured victims were reportedly taken to 14 different Brussels-area hospitals. The less seriously injured were taken to a nearby sports complex for treatment by medical workers.
