The tragic toll from a train collision in Jakarta has risen to 14 fatalities, according to the state railway company, Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI), as reported by Reuters. In addition, 84 individuals sustained injuries, while rescue teams are continuing their laborious efforts to reach survivors still trapped within the wreckage.
The disaster unfolded late Monday in Bekasi, a city just on the outskirts of Jakarta, when a commuter train collided with a long-distance train. Bobby Rasyidi, director of PT KAI, confirmed the somber count of those who have lost their lives, emphasizing that rescue operations are ongoing.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, described the challenging process of freeing victims from the mangled train carriages. “We required assistance from personnel with specialized skills in delicate extrications,” he stated. “Some victims have been located alive, and we remain hopeful of rescuing them, but they are still trapped within the trains.”
Eyewitness accounts suggest that rescuers have succeeded in separating the two trains. Using angle grinders to cut through the twisted metal, they are making desperate attempts to reach those still inside.
Rasyidi detailed that the commuter train initially struck a taxi that was positioned on the tracks, setting off a chain of events that led to the long-distance train colliding directly behind it. Notably, the train car designated for female passengers bore the brunt of the impact during the crash.
In response, Green SM Indonesia, the taxi company involved, confirmed via social media that the taxi belonged to them and stated that they are cooperating with authorities to facilitate the investigation.
In light of the incident, President Prabowo Subianto announced plans for the construction of an overpass near the railway tracks to alleviate the ongoing congestion. He also underscored the need for improved maintenance of the railway network.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s National Committee for Transport Safety (KNKT) has launched an investigation into the accident, as reported by Reuters.