The Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train crashed into the rear car of a commuter train that was stopped at Bekasi Timur Station outside Jakarta, leaving passengers trapped
(Image: AP)
At least four people have been killed and dozens more left trapped after two trains collided in Indonesia.
One train ploughed into another at a station on the outskirts of the capital Jakarta, leaving passengers stuck inside a severely damaged carriage, according to officials.
State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia confirmed four fatalities in a statement, with approximately 38 passengers transported to hospital for medical care.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance service smashed into the back of a commuter train which had come to a halt at Bekasi Timur Station. The affected carriage was a women-only compartment, a standard feature designed to help prevent harassment.
Emergency crews have been battling to reach five passengers still trapped inside the commuter train carriage, with authorities warning the death toll may rise. Witnesses reported hearing passengers scream as the trains struck each other, reports the Mirror.
The rescue effort has been hampered by the extent of the damage to the train carriages, which has restricted access to the incident scene, forcing emergency workers to slice through mangled metal to free those trapped. Officials also temporarily switched off the overhead electrical supply along the Cibitung–East Bekasi route to ensure safety while the evacuation was underway.
(Image: AP)
Wounded travellers have been transported to local healthcare facilities, including Bekasi Regional Hospital, with accounts suggesting its emergency departments have been inundated with casualties. A significant proportion of those hurt were women making their way home from their workplaces, with some sustaining broken bones, early reports indicate.
All 240 travellers aboard the Argo Bromo Anggrek train were unharmed, authorities confirmed. Officers were examining what led to the incident, Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri informed journalists at the location.
Television broadcasts and clips circulating online depicted distressed passengers at the terminal, while scores of individuals descended upon the station seeking information about relatives. The state-run railway operator issued an apology to its customers.
(Image: AP)
Such incidents occur frequently on Indonesia’s deteriorating rail infrastructure. In January 2024, two trains crashed in West Java province, resulting in at least four fatalities. During that incident, the Turangga express train transporting 287 travellers from Surabaya, East Java province’s capital, collided with a Bandung Raya commuter service carrying 191 passengers travelling to Padalarang from Haurpugur station at approximately 6.03am.
In October 2013, a passenger train struck a minibus at an unprotected level crossing in West Java, claiming 13 lives. In 2010, a train departing Jakarta crashed into the back of a stationary train at a station in Central Java province, killing 36.