17 injured in train collision

JAKARTA (JP): At least 17 passengers suffered minor and serious injuries when a Jayabaya Utara train from Jakarta to Surabaya collided with a stationary Jakarta-Bogor train at Juanda Railway Station in Central Jakarta on Monday afternoon.

According to the Jakarta head of state-owned railway company Perumka, Edi Sasongko, the accident occurred after the Bogor- bound express train broke down after making a regularly scheduled stop.

He attributed the breakdown to the loss of the electrical connection on the train.

According to witness Sisto, the Jayabaya economy-class train rammed the back of the four-coach express train.

Edi said he was baffled why a red warning light did not flash to warn oncoming trains.

"We're still investigating the case," he said.

The injured were taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta.

Edi promised that Perumka would cover all medical expenses for the passengers. (ind)