Train Crashes Into Gas Tanker in Bintaro, Several Killed

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)