A car was hit by a train on Monday morning at a level crossing between Ypres (Ieper) and Poperinge, network operator Infrabel has announced.
Traffic is at a standstill on this stretch of railway line. According to several media reports, the driver of the car has died. The public prosecutor has appointed an expert.
The accident occurred shortly after 05:00 on Monday morning at the Poperingseweg level crossing in Vlamertinge (Ypres).
The circumstances of the accident are not yet known. "Only one passenger was on the Antwerp-bound train and was taken to Ypres by taxi," said Infrabel spokesman Thomas Baeken.
The car, whose number of occupants is still unknown, was trapped under the train. An expert has been appointed to investigate the accident.
Following the accident, rail traffic between Poperinge and Ypres is completely disrupted. The SNCB recommends using the regular bus service between the two towns.
