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At least 22 children were killed in Switzerland after their bus crashed on the way home from a ski trip. Msnbc.com's Dara Brown reports.
Updated at 6:06 p.m. ET: SION, Switzerland/HEVERLEE, Belgium -- A torchlight march. Ravioli and meatball dinners. Rides in a funicular railway. A sing-a-long and a dress-up casino evening.
Those were some of the things that made last week "mega-cool" for 24 sixth graders at the St. Lambertus school in a hotel in Saint-Luc, high in the Swiss Alps.
The good times turned tragic Tuesday when their bus, which also carried kids from a second Belgian school, crashed inside a Swiss tunnel on its way home. Twenty-two youngsters from the two different schools died, along with six adults.
The dead included "teacher Frank," who had set up the native-language Dutch blog that had kept parents and schoolchildren who stayed home informed about all the fun.
On Wednesday parents were flown to Switzerland to find out whether their children were still alive. Sixteen St. Lambertus students were confirmed to have survived, but the fate of eight others was unknown, at least to their families.
Nine days earlier, they had left for the holiday of their school lives in the snow-covered Alps of Switzerland, an annual highlight for St. Lambertus kids. The school is a typical, small Roman Catholic institution of some 200 pupils in Heverlee, on the outskirts of the old university town Leuven, and represents the broad mix of social classes of the municipality.
The week began flawlessly.
"This is our first blog posting," wrote Frank Van Kerckhove, the teacher who set up the blog. "The bus trip was very smooth. There was little traffic. We watched the movie Avatar (and) no one became car sick on the climb" into the Alps.
PhotoBlog: Grief, disbelief as Belgian schoolchildren learn of crash that killed classmates
In the days that followed, the youngsters posted about their vacation with youthful exuberance.
"This afternoon we had soup and ravioli, very delicious," one girl wrote on March 6.
Relatives of the students were grateful that Van Kerckhove, one of six adults who died in the crash, had set up the site.
Most of the victims were 12-year-olds returning from a ski vacation in the Swiss Alps. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
"The blog was incredible. It had so many great pictures," said Anne De Roo, whose three children are former students at the school. The fate of her nephew was now uncertain.
"He constantly gave us news about what happened, the sked of the day," she said of Van Kerckhove. His last words came down to 'we see you back soon,'" she said.
The kids would blog under Van Kerckhove's tutelage.
"Today was totally the best. The adventurous walk was tiring, but mega-cool," one girl wrote. "We won first prize for cleanest room. Tomorrow it's going to be colder. Byyyeeee!"
On March 10, another boy wrote: "Things are super here in Saint-Luc. The skiing, the weather, the food. It's not bad at all. Tomorrow I play in the Muppet Show. ... I have seen quite a few dogs. I'm now reading the book 'Why Dogs Have Wet Noses.' Very interesting! I miss you all."
Toward week's end, the posts revealed early signs of homesickness.
"Dear mama and papa. I like it here a lot, but I miss you. Love you. Kisses." And: "Hey, mama, papa ... It is super here and the sun shines the whole day. But I do miss you! XXX."
The posts came with scores of photos the youngsters made during their trip.
On the St. Lambertus school gate Wednesday, staff put up drawings made by students to honor the teacher. "I'll never forget you, Teacher Frank," one read. "You are the greatest ever!"
And outside the school, parents spoke highly of Van Kerckhove. Teary-eyed, some recalled his last post, dated March 11 — the eve of the return trip.
"Tomorrow will be a busy day and I do not know if I can write a blog posting," Van Kerckhove wrote. "But on Wednesday we'll be back, all of us."
'There are no words'
Swiss President Evelyn Widmer-Schlumpf and Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, speaking at a news conference Wednesday in the town of Sion near the crash site, paid tribute to the victims and the 200 rescue workers who pulled injured from the wreckage.
"We are here to understand better, there is consternation. When a drama like this happens, when we lose a child or have a child suffering in hospital, there are no words. It is important to console the families," Di Rupo said.
Twenty-one of the dead were Belgian nationals and seven were Dutch, according to Swiss officials. The Dutch foreign ministry said three Dutch children in the bus were injured. Most children aboard were aged about 12.
Belgium plans to hold a national day of mourning.
About 200 police, firefighters, doctors and medics worked through the night at the scene, while 12 ambulances and eight helicopters took the injured to hospitals in the region.
Widmer-Schlumpf, a mother of three, said that Switzerland was doing everything to support victims and their families.
Olivier Elsig, prosecutor for Valais canton (state), said that video surveillance images from the tunnel, where the speed limit is 100 kmh (62 mph), showed no other vehicle was involved in the accident and the road was dry and in "good condition."
"The bus did not appear to be travelling too fast," Elsig told the news conference. "I immediately ordered an autopsy of the deceased driver."
Police Cantonale Valais / AFP - Getty Images
Rescuers are seen next to the wreckage of a bus after it crashed in a tunnel in Sierre, Switzerland.
The bus had travelled only 15-20 km (10 10 13 miles) from the Swiss ski resort of Val d'Anniviers before entering the tunnel. "The children were all wearing seat belts but the shock of the crash was violent," he said.
There were three possible causes for the crash: a technical problem; the driver may have become ill; or human error, according to Elsig.
About 100 family members, who flew to Geneva from Belgium, were taken by buses to the Valais canton. Some began visiting injured children in Sion hospital, while others were being counseled by psychologists in crisis groups.
A mortuary was set up and bodies were being identified.
Most pupils were from the towns of Lommel and Heverlee in Belgium's Dutch-speaking Flanders region.
A police photograph showed the bus had smashed into the side of a tunnel, with the front ripped open, broken glass and debris strewn on the road and rescue workers climbing in through side windows. It was later towed away from the scene.
Police were alerted to the accident by images on surveillance cameras in the tunnel.
"It gives you chills down the spine. Witnessing such a drama involving children takes away my voice," police spokesman Jean-Marie Bornet told Swiss television earlier.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Soldier accused in Afghan massacre flown out of country
22 kids die as bus crashes near Swiss ski area - In 'KONY' town, video is hardly a sensation
- 'Fascinating' Libya to be next tourism hot spot?
Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world
Leave a Comment:
May God bless the families of the greaving at this very difficult time. It shows how fleeting life can be. One moment having fun - next moment gone. We all need to think about our end, to ensure we are ready to face the future. God bless them.
God doesn't exist, you fool. Just like a brain does not exist in your head!
I'm sick of programmed robots like you uttering the same garbage every time a load of children die in an accident or are blown away by some gunman in school etc: posting the same garbage because you can't deal with reality so you feel you have to cling to your fairy-tale book, the Bible, for comfort.
No: your god may not bless anyone or anything; but it doesn't exist!
Period!
(And yes, I called it "it" because thinking of a god as "He" like many fools do is just all-the-more stupid)
Critic,
Spice shows some respect and condolences to people who lost their loved ones.
A person with faith in God, has HOPE and strength which he/she is trying to share with people who really need it.
On the other hand, man without a hope, has nothing but anger and frustration. All he can do is kicking dust around - like you.
How about this scenario, Critic Of Society From Both Ends:
1. God climbs into the head of the US soldier, whispering, "Go kill some Afghan kids";
2. Either the soldier kills more kids than God expected or the public's reaction against the massacre / US military / US is worse than God expected, so....
3. God makes the bus driver fall asleep and kills 22 kids in the ensuing crash as a counterweight to the Afghan massacre
Maybe God exists, but it (as you prefer) is just friggin' crazy.
Nice Critic. No expression of condolence given at all. Would it have killed you to at least express sorrow for the loss of life? Hope, if you have children, that they remain healthy and you never experience the loss of any of them.
Critic, you give those of us who choose not to believe in a deity a bad rap. You sound heartless and arrogant. You obviously don't get it. How can your heart not go out to those who are suffering? Keep your hateful opinions to yourself and please don't even go there about freedom of expression.
@CriticOfSocietyFromBothEnds -
No one cares about your over-hyped opinion that God doesn't exist, you fool. Just like a brain does not exist in your head!
I'm sick of programmed robots like you uttering the same garbage every time someone posts a sympathetic thought consistent with their beliefs when a load of children die in an accident or are blown away by some gunman in school etc: unable to understand that posting the "same garbage" doesn't show respect for their reality, but you feel you have to degrade their Bible, or where they find comfort.
No: your common courtesy for those who believe in god doesn't exist!
Period!
Your moniker is not quite accurate because one of your "ends" seems to be stuck in the other one.
(And yes, I said that because thinking of of you having two distinct, non-conjoined "ends"is just all-the-more stupid)
BTW - tell me about the Higgs Boson - no one has ever seen it, but many scientists firmly believe it exists and that it would explain so many other things. Wonder what that sounds like? Maybe absence of proof is not proof of absence.
My thoughts are with the families of these children - I hope they find peace and the strength to cope in the days and years ahead.
Thank you for that post, John T.
Critic, I'm NOT really a religious dude myself, but I'll say it- just to irritate you:
GOD, bring peace to those whose children have died in this terrible accident.
THERE.
Critic - an educated person knows no proof (or disproof) of GOd is possible. Look to Immanuel Kan'ts Critique of Pure Reason for starters. It was written many years ago but has held up. Or if that's too much trouble you can just keep spewing your OPINION. My sympathies to all the families nvolved. I can't even imagine the heartbreak for all.
Can we not genuinely feel sad for the loss of young lives without creating debates around God or Politics?
Wow, critic- are you the same person that preaches tolerance for Muslims and gays? But you're so intolerant of someone with faith? u a angry poopusher gizswallower?
Would you pray for them if they were Muslims?
Would you pray for them if they were from Afghanistan?
Would you pray for them if they all disagree with you before they died?
Heart breaking..My condolences to the families and friends of the two small towns Lommel and Heverlee,
If God does exist his heart is broken also..
Glancing at the picture it looks like a poorly designed tunnel.
Critic, thanks for staying on Topic is it that hard to show compassion during a time of tragedy..Your a Troll !
Just to add my voice to the choir: why do atheists (not all atheists, but it is obviously atheists who do it) insist on using news stories about dead children to spew hatred and insult anyone who offers condolences with a religious slant to them? "Religion shoved down my throat blah blah". No one here said you suck or you're wrong about your beliefs until YOU started insulting people over theirs. Why can't you just let well-wishers be, and either offer your own condolences or shut up.
Bobo-1359054
Fu ck You. I heard enough people dying in Afghanistan and Muslims killed by our own soldiers and nobody gave a damned. It is about time you shut up and not being a hypocrite.
Your response is typical "Stand Up".
Richard-3533523
I am just being REAL. This is what Free Speech is all about. Our forefathers had given US such rights. Afghans can't speak here because they have been suppressed. We are the only people who like to abuse them on MSNBC posts and other forums. Nobody speaks on their behalf.
How noble of you fools to offer your condolences on a web page comment section. Innocent people are killed everyday in every kind of way and yet most of you only care about the stories that are thrust into your face. Does a God exist -- I do not know. Does your God exist -- absolutely not. Critic's comment is refreshing in this madhouse world.
To have faith or not have faith is a personal choice. Those people that attack people who believe in God and those people who attack people who do not believe in God....need to have some self-reflection. God or no God have some respect for each other’s beliefs and not try and convince them otherwise.
Actually, StandUp, you're not being "real". You're being rude and ridiculous.
SUFA - Afghanistan?! This article is about kids killed in an accident in Switzerland. Not soldiers, not religion, not mass murder, not war, not even the same continent. And I have relatives in Afghanistan. You want to talk about that, we can take it elsewhere.
People like you and Critic are the Westboro of atheism -- using tragic deaths to voice your hatred of people who believe differently than you.
(It's okay, community, you don't have to collapse SUFA's poorly-formed, non sequitur personal attack. I'll live).
Also, SUFA - you are awfully presumptuous in your post about who would pray for what. I don't see where the article enumerates the religions of those killed. And no one expressing prayer has said "...except the ones who were Muslim."
I don't know if anyone expressed Christian prayer in the comments on articles about the people killed in Afghanistan. But I guarantee that if they did, they were followed immediately by someone like yourself criticizing their beliefs and religion in general.
Have YOU ever posted anything to the effect of, "I feel so bad about these poor people. I wish their families well"?
@Stand up for America,
Why don't you stand up and go get an education. You write like a five-year-old. Maybe you were too busy pushing kids around for being 'different' to pay attention to any English class past the second grade.
my first thought was the accident happened on their return trip. they at least got to enjoy their vacation. i hope there are pictures of happy smiling kids having a great time. it may be some comfort to the grieving families. this article is about tragedy not posters spewing their contempt for people expressing their wishes that god comfort them in this agonizing time. a little respect please----rest in peace beautiful children---
Agreed.
I'll also add my two cents (probably worth less) in noting that this probably isn't the time for personal opinions on religion or politics, as at least one person felt the need to do.
Everyone posting here is free express those opinions, of course...it's just my opinion that it's less than appropriate given the circumstances.
Twenty-two children are dead. That incomprehensible tragedy is enough to deal with.
It is my hope the grieving families find an abundance of solace, love and support in the incredibly difficult times ahead.
PJ - yours is the only voice of reason spoken on this news story.
Condolences to these families and hopefully they get what they need to get through this.
For all of you whining whether religion or God is real, STFU! All of you are some self centered egotistics motherless bastards. Hopefully your kids/mother/father will die tonight and we can argue whether some stranger's beliefs agree with mine. Bunch of selfish Aholes.
A bus killed 22 kids. Time to ban the bus!
Sorry, given other discussions today about kids and guns, I couldn't help it. It's just so ridiculous how people will use tragedy to further their own political agenda. Political, or religious/anti-religious agenda.
I pray that these families will find comfort after such a horrible accident. It's sad how accidents like this happen, and no one can figure out why. People are not perfect. We create/build imperfect things, like tunnels and automobiles. Yet every time something like this happens, we look for someone to blame. We even create reasons to get mad at someone so we can vent our own frustration. Like the trolls. Do you really NEED reason to spew hate at someone?
I think we all need to have a little more tolerance not just for people's beliefs, but for their foibles too.
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.
Why on earth would there be a "wall" in a tunnel?
It's ridiculous. There should be guard rails to prevent a vehicle from hitting a wall like this. Or better yet, the wall should be beveled so as to guide a contacting vehicle back toward the highway.
Wow. Terrible transportation infrastructure design.
.
It is possible to be saddened by two events at the same time. Just as we are saddened by the loss of innocent children in Afghanistan, we are saddened by the loss of life in Europe, too. So, yes, most Americans feel the same way about the loss of innocent life whether they are American, European, Muslim, Buddhist, Afghani, Iranian or whatever.
Critic Of Society From Both Ends, Stand Up for America, DivineMistress, you are all suspended for a day for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Should of Banned it Sally, why ya bein so nice.
I feel truly sad for the lives lost and for the parents and other family members who will receive this ugly news in the middle of the night. May they soon find out what happened so it will not have to drag on.
Condolences for the Belgian families who lost their 12 yr.old children in the bus crash in Sierre,Canton Valais in Suisse- 22 children who had had a ski camp in Val d'Anniviers .Children were from the Grund schule t'Stekske inn Lommer (near Dutch border)and Sint Lambertus school near Brussels. There were 3 busses back to Belgium on highway A9- the bus that crashed had 2 drivers (both died)- the bus entering the tunnel was at the breakdown lane (police presume excessive speed);sliding towards the wall and front breaking upon impact- the rescue personnle worked all night (accident happened 9:15 local time)to extracate the victims/survivors from the horrible wreckage. Parent are being flown in by Belgian Def.Ministry planes. Altogether in the crashed bus was 52 passengers- 28 died at the scene. Condolences for all the families who lost their loved ones and speedy recovery for those who survived.
What a terribly sad situation. I know there is no grief like that of a parent who loses a child, and there is no recovery from it, either--it will always be with them. The siblings of those who died will be suffering, too.
The children who are injured need our love, too, as well as their families. Some of them may not survive, and some of those who do may have life-long crippling injuries. Even without the physical injuries, the long-term emotional scars will be terrible.
At this point, no one knows why the bus crashed. While it will be good to know so a similar accident might be prevented in the future, at this point, it doesn't really matter. The reasons for the crash will not help the parents of the lost and injured children in the next few days. Of course they'll want to know the "why," but for now, they have enough to do to cope with their unimaginable grief.
Whatever one's political or religious/moral beliefs, I would hope that each person would (minimally) feel sad for all those families and children. Some might want to do nothing--and that's okay for them. Some might want to send love, or good thoughts into the universe--I do! Others might want to pray for the children and their families--I do!
I also send my condolences--a word that has many meanings. These are some of the meanings I send to those families: tenderness, sympathy, sorrow, benevolence, grace, mercy, kindness, charity, love, and empathy (among others!).
May they find peace in the years to come, and solace in the outpouring of caring today.
How awful those poor kids & their families my thoughts & prayers go out to them
OK now why/how did it happen? the answer should be interesting to hear and not just for us but the families as well, I'm sure they are asking the same questions as well.
My family and I are praying for all those lost and those whom have lost.
It's very hard to lose beloved ones,may God R.I.P, my deep sorrow for their parents.
Is God, by comparison, trying to lessen the severity of the recent massacre of Afghan children?
Why would God want to protect a group of drunk US soldiers?
Prayers for you all. m very sorry for your loss.
God I hate reading comments... I always tell myself just read the story and continue on.
Critic... Lets get something straight shall we? Listen up. First off all you Atheist constantly say you don't like peoples religious views pushed onto yourselves, you don't like anybody forcing their opinions onto yall. What spice said was not doing either of those things, yet you decide to go on this whole rant like a 5 year old because someone says God, you think you need to enlighten everyone with YOUR opinions forcing your opinions on us. If you don't believe in god thats fine... I could careless if you believe in anything or not, but don't pour your bull@!$%# onto me or anybody else.
And from the way people act now days, the hate they spew like yourself... I would probably tell myself it's all made up and not real either because with the way you act, you would be destined for one place and I can bet you wouldn't need heavy clothing. Grow up little boy, did mama and daddy teach you that not everything in this world will be fair or by your rules? Thats the problem with people like you, if they don't see things your way, they are wrong and should be shut down and told how stupid they are for such nonsense. That hate will kill you. Keep it up.
" If something so small has the ability to completely anger you... does that not say something about your size? "
GOD bless these kids and their families. Such a terrible tragedy. RIP.
TexasLaw - the "first of all you Atheist" thing is painting everyone with the same brush, which makes you no better.
True, Randy. This a-hole doesn't represent what all athiests are like any more than Pat Robertson represents what all Christians are like. I agree with Lizzie, one of his ends is stuck in the other one.
These families are going through a hard time and will need all the comfort they can get, and still likely will not help much as I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. People like you, Critic (mean-hearted haters, not necessarily athiests) always ask, "If your god is a loving god, why does he let these things happen to children?" Well, I'll tell you. God is like a parent, Critic. When your children try things that may hurt them; learning to walk, ride a bike, drive a car etc, you don't tie them up and keep them from doing the things, you let them learn how to succeed by letting them fail sometimes. But you are always there to comfort them when they DO get hurt. God doesn't prevent things from happening, but is there to comfort us when they do. If you don't like it, fine, but your opinion is like your penis. I'm glad you have one and I'm glad you're proud of it, but I don't want it shoved down my throat.
Amen.
Using God's name in vain is one of the 10 commandments. I'm tired of the holier than thou attitude of people that aren't. Quit preaching to other people and look at yourself a little more.
First things first; Naturally, I feel very bad for those who were killed or injured, and for their loved ones.
That said, I wish that "God" could be left out of discussions about tragedies like this.
"Spice" said "It shows how fleeting life can be. One moment having fun - next moment gone. We all need to think about our end, to ensure we are ready to face the future".
That's "God talk". Some of us think that after our "end", there is no future. This is not the place to try to convince us otherwise.
"Texas" said to "Critic" - "First off all you Atheist[s] constantly say you don't like peoples religious views pushed onto yourselves, you don't like anybody forcing their opinions onto yall. What spice said was not doing either of those things".
I completely disagree. Categorically stating that "We all need to think about our end, to ensure we are ready to face the future" does exactly that.
This is a story about 22 children dying in a horrific manner and all i see is a bunch of a-holes squabbling about the existence of God.
I could not nor do i want to imagine what the parents must be going through. I hope the survivors make a full recovery.
Fair enough Randy I'm big enough to appologize, I realize it was painting all atheists as having this guys views and attitude. I know a fair few Atheists who live and let live. We all believe in something different, and some don't believe in anything at all.
I was riled up when I was writing what I wrote so I may not have put my full attention into what I was saying... My anger got me. It's just no different for me if someone had said " I don't believe in god and am not religious at all but I do hope these parents will be ok etc. etc. " I wouldn't get offended by it at all whatsoever. Thats their life and how they are. I didn't mean to make it seem like all atheists are like this "Critic" because I know they aren't. Same as I'm not like all these Christians you see on tv. I prefer to never talk about my views because nobody can stand religion anymore.
I also know many people do not want god mentioned in articles such as this but MANY don't want it mentioned period. But if I want to say God Bless These Families there should be no problem with it. People should look past it if they don't agree and let it be that. Life goes on. I just wish people could live and let live.
good point i don't believe in religion(or at least whats in a book) but honestly why blame"GOD" it's the "DEVILS" job to make bad things happen and according to what i read the more who have an ill mind or do bad VS doing good and helping others out the more powerful either entity becomes, from what i see everywhere i go it looks like the "DEVIL" is winning, don't do bad as a whole and the "devil" will weaken giving "GOD" more reach to prevent bad things from happening, good begets good and evil begets evil and call the entities you believe in what you will. commandments aside!
My heart aches for these families that lost their children and loved ones. Sending warm thoughts of compassion and strength during this most difficult time. Your lives have been shattered and will never be the same on so many levels. Please comfort each other and know others share your pain and you are not alone.
@ashleysmom Thank you for beautifull words of wisdom,address to those family in suffering ......Life isn't the same after loosing what's more precious in your life "yours and our children". My thoughts and prayers for the parents and familyes . Please GOD give them comfort and peace ....The world is crushed in pain for so many inocent childrens lost .......EVERYONE please !!!!! hate and name calling is not the solution and healling .......prayers and care for one onother is the key to healing .My heart goes out to to those in pain.....
Just look at the picture. What idiot thought it was a good idea to build a step in the wall without some sort of barrier to keep this from happening.
You beat me to that punch.
Accidents happen, but to have such a obstructive element exposed to oncomming traffic in the tunnel is insane. Horrible.
I'm sure the driver was not familiar with that obstruction............Can you imagine both drivers dead .....
OH MY GOD.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Driver drunk? Too tired? How can he hit a wall?
There were 2 (two) busdrivers from The Top Tours Comany in Aarschrt,Belium. They flew in the night before (on Mar,12) and rested on the day before departure. Swiss police suspect EXCESSIVE speed; but there will be accident reconstruction people to answer that. The breakdown lane from the highway A9 into the tunnel has a stony embankment- the bus driver veered over to the breakdown lane- bus slid towards the wall and crashed headon. Now Dutch Ministry is saying there were 10 Dutch kids on the skicamp trip;unknown at this time which group these youngsters belonged.
GOD does exist, although sometimes I don't understand why he doesn't intervene many times, and prevent bad things from happening, many times to the innocent.
The Bible makes it clear bad things happen for several reasons:
1) Our or Others choices. Bad things can happen as a result of poor choices.
2) There is a Enemy that hates GOD, his creation, and man. That Enemy is called SATAN, and he comes to "Steal, Kill, and Destroy."
3) So Bad things can happen as a "Test of Our Faith" to serve a greater purpose. (Read the story of Joseph from the Old Testament.)
4) Bad things can happen as a warning or GOD's Judgement (Sodom & Gomorrah)
We don't always understand the WHY of things, especially when they bring us pain, or seem senseless. But the BIBLE says, "All things work together for good to those that love GOD, and are called according to his purpose.)
Many times out of Tragedy can come good, even through great pain.
May the LORD send his peace in the mist of this sorrow to the families that have lost loved ones.
I thought the same thing. Was it mechanical failure? Tire? Bearing? Or maybe carbon monoxide poisoning. Those tunnels in peak traffic get pretty smokey even with ventilation. Alot of those tunnels of 2km or longer get that way.
AJC - you sound so stupid. If god exists show us the proof. if god exists why did he create satan, since he is the "creator of all"? If these children believed in god, then why did god kill them?
That's What's Up -,
AJC - you sound so stupid. If god exists show us the proof. if god exists why did he create satan, since he is the "creator of all"? If these children believed in god, then why did god kill them?
That's What's Up, if anyone is stupid or ignorant, it is you. Read the book.
If god exists show us the proof.
Open your eyes and look at the wonders of creation. Study Physics, and the laws that govern the Universe. Read the book that gave prophesies 700 years before JESUS was born, that showed what the CHRIST would suffer, such as Psalm 22 & Isiah 58.
if god exists why did he create satan, since he is the "creator of all"?
The BIBLE says GOD created "Lucifer" as one of the Archangels, such as Michale & Gabriel. He didn't create robots, but beings with FREE WILL, such as we have. Lucifer decided to rebel against GOD, because he thought he knew it all, like many today. He was cast out of Heaven with a 1/3 of the Angels that also rebelled with him, and given the name SATAN, which means "The Adversary."
If these children believed in god, then why did god kill them?
I didn't say GOD killed them, you just said that. I gave you a list of why bad things can happen.
And lastly, since you seem to know nothing of GOD, or why I might believe in him:
1) The BIBLE, which is GOD's WORD, states he is the CREATOR that created the Universe and everthing in it. There are many Prophesies that foretell things that were going to happen hundreds or thousands of years earlier, that have been proven to have come EXACTLY TRUE. I gave yo Psalm 22 & Isiah 58 as some examples.
2) The BIBLE says GOD created the Universe. Science has proven that the Universe has a beginning, and they call it the BIG BANG. The BIBLE says GOD caused the BIG BANG.
3) GOD created life. Life is very complex and lends itself to a DESIGNER. If you knew the Theory of thermal Dynamics, all Complex Systems are breaking down, not getting more complex like EVOLUTION would have you believe. NOWHERE have we observed NON-LIFE Generating LIFE, except in the IMAGINATION of some EVOLUTIONISTS.
4) GOD made a covenant with ABRAHAM, and his SEED, or ISRAEL. After thousands of years, they are still around as a people, even though they were dispersed throughout the world. That is GOD's HAND at work.
5) Lastly, the BIBLE says, "GOD is the same yesterday, today, and forever." That means he doesn't change, or does he change how he deals with humanity. GOD spoke to humans, like "ABRAHAM. ISAAC, JACOB, JOSEPH, MOSES, DAVIS, PAUL", etc. He still speaks to people today.
He has spoken to me, and appeared to me as JESUS. That's how I know how real GOD is. You don't have t believe it, but you asked. If you seek GOD with all your heart, you will find him, and he will reveal himself to you. And BTW, JESUS EYES are a Greenish-Aqua Blue, the color of the Ocean.
With no other vehicles involved, that suggests the driver fell asleep but I guess we won't know yet if ever.
I don't really understand the terrible toll from this, based on the picture. Was no one wearing a seat belt?
or maybe he had a medical emergency, which allowed his foot to press even harder on the gas pedal...
Jean....that is a good point only God knows...he could have had a heart atack...
unfortunately buses don't have seat-belts because kids use them to harm each other when bullying and the biggest factor is apparently because of cost, I'm sure there's more to it but that's what i was told by officials 5 years ago.
Are they traveling to fast for the road? If they are having those terrible crashes, (also in past), maybe thier transportation dept needs to do some thinking about speeds, if this was a factor.
That is a lot of children to lose in one shot. Condolence to all the families and friends.
This is it. This has gone too far. There are too many fatal bus crashes. More needs to be done to make sure that these bus drivers are more patient and experienced behind the wheel. I used to always witness how crazy bus drivers drive as if there exempt from the rest of the people driving on the road. Most of these bus drivers are non-chalant on the road anyway.
And now I am thinking that, in over the recent years with the high number of child deaths and killings around the world, how do they measure up to how it was in the 50's-90's. Because there has been a lot! of child deaths in the past, including Norway
Why couldn't they build the access door away from traffic, accident waiting to happen.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of those who were lost in this horrible accident. To lose a child is a pain no one should have to go through.
I for one take comfort in knowing God, I will one day see my family and friends who have gone before me. MY faith allows me to deal with such sadness and has given me peace in times when I had nothing else. Dislike me if you must but do not judge me for I do not judge you in your beliefs.
First, this is a Sad day. Everyone with a caring Heart should feel something negative about this, and hope or pray that the Families can find peace.
Second, if someone wants to offer their Prayers, you go right ahead. You have every Right to express something positive/or up-lifting, if you think its ok.
Third, whether you want (or choose) to believe this was God's Plan/Will/Retribution, or just a freak accident/coincidence, is your own personal business & opinion, and for no one else. So to all those arguing back and forth about God and Atheism, shut your mouth and show a little sense of human decency. This isn't about YOU.
So sad, condolences and prayers to the families.
Really tragic and may God give strength to the families and all emergency responders.
god doesn't "give' anything for free, he charges. It's called a tithe, but you'll be damned if you don't pay it
I just don't understand praying for them... if God wanted something different for them he should have prevented the bus from crashing. By praying you believe God is able to do something. So God was able and just didn't...
sad , r.i.p
@winchman, in some Swiss tunnels they have short emergency parking lanes every few hundred meters indented at the right side of the tunnel. Malfunctioning cars, fire trucks etc. can be parked over there in an emergency. Maybe the driver was drowsy and when seeing the emergency parking lane thought it was an extra driving lane, pulled over to the right and found him in a dead-end…
I am just so sorry for them all…
Wow. When in Sweden, don't take the bus.
Why? Did something like this happen there, too?