Belgian train speeds through red signal, plows into 2nd commuter train, killing at least 18

Belgian Train Collision Kills at Least 18

By ARTHUR MAX Associated Press Writer
BRUSSELS February 15, 2010 (AP)

The Associated Press

At least 25 people are killed during rush-hour head-on collision.

A rush-hour commuter train sped through a red signal and slammed into an oncoming train as it left a suburban Brussels station, killing at least 18 people and disrupting rail traffic in northern Europe.
Investigations into one the worst accidents on the Belgian rails were likely to focus on whether human error was responsible or if it could have been influenced by the persistently freezing temperatures that have iced up the European capital.
Officials said 80 people were injured, 20 of them seriously in Monday's crash. The death toll — 15 men and three women — was not considered final.
The fate of the two drivers was not immediately known, and officials said they were having difficulty identifying some of the victims.
The trains, carrying a total of about 300 passengers, collided in light snow just outside of the station at Buizingen about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from Brussels around 8:30 a.m. (0730 GMT).


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