Jakarta train collision: Death toll rises to 14, over 80 injured in Bekasi crash
PTC Web Desk: The death toll in a train collision near Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, has climbed to 14, with at least 84 people injured, officials confirmed on Tuesday after rescue operations were completed.
The accident took place late Monday in Bekasi, located on the outskirts of Jakarta, when a commuter train collided with a long-distance train. According to Bobby Rasyidin, chief executive of state railway operator PT KAI, the number of fatalities rose as authorities gathered more information from the site.
Rescue teams worked through the night to free passengers trapped inside the wreckage. Mohammad Syafii, head of the national search and rescue agency, said the evacuation process had been completed. He described the operation as highly delicate, as rescuers had to carefully cut through twisted metal to reach those trapped inside.
“We needed skilled personnel to carry out a careful extrication,” Syafii said, adding that no more survivors were believed to be inside. However, teams will continue searching the debris for any remaining body parts.
Officials said a women-only carriage suffered the most damage in the crash. All those who lost their lives were women, many of whom were trapped under crushed sections of the train.
Earlier, PT KAI stated that the incident began when the commuter train struck a taxi on the tracks. Moments later, it was hit by the oncoming long-distance train. The taxi involved belonged to Green SM Indonesia, which said it is cooperating with authorities and has shared relevant information for the investigation.
President Prabowo Subianto visited a hospital in Bekasi and announced that an inquiry into the accident has been ordered. He also proposed building a flyover near the railway crossing to ease heavy traffic in the area. The president noted that parts of Indonesia’s rail network are not properly maintained.
The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) has launched a formal investigation into the incident.
Train services in the area were disrupted on Tuesday, with several commuter routes cut short due to the accident.
Rail and road accidents are relatively common in Indonesia. In 2024, a train collision in West Java killed four persons and left several injured.
- With inputs from agencies
