JAKARTA: Authorities in Indonesia have confirmed that at least 14 people were killed and 84 others injured following a train collision near Jakarta. Rescue teams completed evacuation efforts on Tuesday after working through the wreckage overnight.
The accident occurred late Monday in Bekasi, on the outskirts of the capital, when a commuter train collided with a long-distance service. According to PT KAI chief executive Bobby Rasyidin, the number of fatalities rose as more victims were recovered from the crushed carriages.
Search and rescue officials described the operation as highly complex. Mohammad Syafii said specialized personnel were required to carefully extract those trapped inside the mangled compartments. He confirmed that no more passengers remain unaccounted for, though teams will continue inspecting the site.
A women-only carriage suffered the most severe damage, with all reported fatalities being women. Many victims were trapped under twisted metal, making rescue efforts particularly difficult. Emergency workers used cutting tools to reach survivors before separating the wrecked trains.
Initial reports suggest the commuter train first struck a taxi on the tracks before being hit by the oncoming long-distance train. The taxi involved belonged to Green SM Indonesia, which has stated it is cooperating fully with investigators.
Following the incident, President Prabowo Subianto visited victims in hospital and ordered a full investigation. He also proposed building a flyover at the crossing to reduce congestion and prevent similar accidents, noting that parts of the rail network require better maintenance.
Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee has launched an inquiry into the crash. Meanwhile, families gathered at the station seeking news of loved ones as services in the busy commuter network faced disruptions.
Train accidents remain a recurring issue in Indonesia, with a previous collision in West Java in 2024 leaving four dead and many injured.
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