Jakarta Globe, December 9, 2013
A train crashed into a gas tanker at a level crossing in Bintaro on Monday morning. (Photo via NTMC Polri) |
Several
people died after a train crashed into a vehicle reported to be a gasoline
tanker at a railroad crossing on Monday morning, causing at least one carriage
to overturn and burst into flames.
South
Jakarta Police Chief Sr. Comr. Wahyu Hadiningrat said that the death toll has
been increased from four, reported in the immediate aftermath of the crash, to
seven people (at 1:40 p.m.)
“Seven
people have died — they have been taken to three different hospitals,” Wahyu
said as quoted by Detik, adding that the dead had been taken to Sutoyo,
Pertamina, and Fatmawati hospitals.
Commuter
Line (KCJ), a subsidiary of state-owned train company Kereta Api Indonesia,
said the rescue operation was still underway.
“Regarding
the accident in Pondok Bentung, I can confirm that train KA 1131 from Serpong
to Tanah Abang was hit by a tanker. The truck is on fire and the front carriage
derailed,” said KCJ spokeswoman Eva Chairunnisa.
A train
security guard told the Jakarta Globe that the train made a stop at Pondok Aren
station before continuing to Kebayoran station.
Panji
Agestri said the train applied the brakes twice before the intersection.
“After
that, the train collapsed to the right side and I heard the explosion,” said
Panji, who was in the second carriage of the train.
“The access
to the first car was blocked and I couldn’t go in there,” he said. “The
passengers were panicking and they broke the windows to get out of the car.
When I checked, it turned out that we had hit a gasoline truck.”
Sukendar
Mulya, spokesman of Kereta Api Inodnesia, said that train services on the line
had been halted.
“The
electricity along the track connecting Kanji and Kebayoran has been switched
off for safety reasons during the evacuation,” he said.
A statement
from NTMC Polri said firefighters were still trying to extinguish the blaze at
12:30 p.m.
The scene of the Bintaro train crash on Monday morning. (JG Photo/Wimbo Saywiko) |
Transportation
Minister E.E. Mangindaan said the accident was under investigation.
“I’ve have
heard about it, it’s being investigated,” he said. “It happened this morning at
10 a.m. I cannot comment further.”
Eva
reported, however, that the accident happened at 11:20 a.m.
Train
crashes are frequent in Indonesia, and Bintaro was the site of the country’s
worst-ever rail catastrophe.
On Oct.
1987, a train leaving Rangkasbitung for Tanah Abang was allowed to roll on to
Sudirmara by the station master. Two crowded trains crashed in the station,
killing 156 people.
Military first responders attend to the crashed train in Bintaro on Monday afternoon. (JG Photo/Bayu Marhaenjati) |
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