13 die in collision on Aceh highway

JAKARTA (JP): Thirteen people died and at least four others were seriously injured in a traffic accident Monday night on the Banda Aceh-Medan highway.

The victims were riding in a minivan that collided with a truck at Tibang, Pidie, 112 kilometers east of Banda Aceh, Aceh, Antara reported.

Pidie police chief Lt. Col. Teuku Keumala said yesterday the van was overloaded with Pantai Cermin villagers on their way to visit their neighbor who was being treated at a local hospital.

Ali, 60, Yunus, 65, Yacob, 66, Daan, 70, Niazi Ismail, 39, and Ainal Mardhiah, 60, died instantly.

The other seven died soon after in hospital. All the victims have been buried by their families.

Four other passengers, Maimunah, 45, Nurhayati, 30, Eliyani, 35, and Nur Aisah, 30, were still in intensive care yesterday.

Police did not say how the collision occurred. The number of passengers in the minivan is also unclear because those who were only slightly injured went home after the crash and did not report to police.

The whereabouts of the driver, Rusli Abdullah, 29, is still unknown. (06)