Bus crash in Switzerland kills 22 children, 6 adults

A bus carrying Belgian students returning from a ski holiday crashed into a wall in a Swiss tunnel on Tuesday night, killing 22 Belgian 12-year-olds and six adults. Another 24 students were hospitalized with injuries.

Authorities said the bus veered and hit a curb, then rammed into a concrete wall in the tunnel.

The Bishop of Hasselt went to the school in Lommel attended by many of the children. Several parents had gathered there before leaving for the airport to fly to the scene of the tragedy.

The parents very upset and they didn’t know what will happen,” said Bishop Patrick Hoogmartens. “There was one mother who said to me, ‘the only thing we can do is hope and pray’. I think it’s so, and it is also my attitude.”

He told Vatican Radio he tried to offer what comfort he could.

“I tried to help them to be faithful and hopeful, but the situation is very difficult for us and for them. I hope and pray that God will help us.”

This evening there will be a prayer vigil held in Lovanio cathedral in Belgium for the victims of the crash.
During the vigil a message of condolence by Pope Benedict XVI to the families of the victims and all those involved in the tragedy will be read out.

Listen to the full interview by Marie Duhamel with Bishop Hoogmartens: