Death Toll Rises To Seven In Indonesia Train Collision, 85 Injured

JAKARTA, April 28 (Bernama) -- The death toll from a train collision at Bekasi Timur Station in West Java has risen to seven, with 85 others injured, Indonesian authorities said as search and rescue operations entered a second day.

Head of the Jakarta Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) Desiana Kartika Bahari said as of 7.30 am local time, a total of 92 victims were recorded, comprising 85 survivors receiving treatment at hospitals or discharged with minor injuries, and seven fatalities.

She said operations remain focused on locating and evacuating victims believed to still be trapped in the train carriages.

“Entering the second day, we continue to optimise all Basarnas personnel along with joint SAR elements. The evacuation process is being carried out carefully using extrication equipment, given the severe damage to the train cars.

“Our priority is to locate and evacuate all victims as quickly as possible,” she said in a statement, on Tuesday.

The collision occurred late Monday when a commuter train, which had been stationary on track 1 heading towards Cikarang, was struck from behind by the long-distance train arriving on the same track.

Meanwhile, state railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Vice President Corporate Communication Anne Purba confirmed that all fatalities and injuries were among passengers of the commuter train.

She said all 240 passengers on board the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train survived the incident.

She said the company has pledged to provide full support to the victims and affected families, including ensuring that the handling process is carried out quickly, properly, and in coordination with all relevant parties.

Anne said evacuation efforts took several hours as responders worked carefully to assist survivors trapped in the wreckage.

-- BERNAMA