24 injured in latest train accident in South Jakarta
JAKARTA (JP): At least 24 people were injured in a head-on collision between a locomotive and an express train in Manggarai subdistrict in South Jakarta on Wednesday morning.
The accident damaged four of the express train's six cars. Four of the injured were the drivers and assistants on the two trains.
It was the second railway accident in two days after a fatal train-bus collision in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta, on Tuesday evening.
Most of the passengers of the express train, heading from Bekasi to Kota Station in West Jakarta, had alighted the train at Jatinegara Station in East Jakarta.
The chief of Manggarai Station, Sugeng Setiono, said the locomotive's driver, identified as Tasrih, ignored a red light and caused the accident.
"The accident happened at about 10:15 a.m.," he added.
Sugeng said the locomotive, heading from Kota to Jatinegara, had stopped at a track in Manggarai to give way for an Argo Gede express train bound for Bandung.
"After the Argo Gede passed along the track, this locomotive just went on without obeying the red-light sign," he said.
Tasrih and driver Tukirjo from the express train together with their assistants, Soleh and Dirlan, were injured.
Eight passengers in the train's first compartment were admitted to the emergency unit of the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta.
After being treated for several hours, four of the injured were discharged.
Dr. B. Situmorang of the hospital's emergency unit said the remaining four were seriously hurt. Most of them suffered broken legs.
Passenger Endang Widuri, 18, had open wounds on her left leg and a blood clot in her lungs.
"The blood in her lungs needs to be removed," Situmorang said.
Three other injured, Yuniarti, Mega, and Ratnaningrum, all in their 30s, are due to undergo surgery at the hospital.
Twelve other passengers were treated for minor injuries at Tulus Kartika clinic in Bukit Duri in South Jakarta. Dr. Kesuma Mulya said they were permitted to leave after receiving treatment.
Four others received medical treatment at the Air Force Hospital at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in East Jakarta.
Investigation
Separately, the chairman of state railway company PT KAI's operations for Greater Jakarta, Masjraul Hidajat, said the cause of the accident was unknown.
"We still have no idea whether it was caused by human error or a technical problem. We plan to send a team to investigate and examine all involved parties in relation to the accident," Masjraul said at the accident site.
But a train signal officer agreed with Sugeng that the CC 20320 locomotive ran the red signal.
"It was clearly visible from the control room that the locomotive moved before any order from the signal room," he said.
Masjraul said PT KAI would cover the medical bills of the injured passengers.
"We will pay for the injured train employees and passengers," he said, adding that coverage by Jasa Raharja insurance company would also pay some of the medical expenses.
He said the accident was similar to one last month in Tambun, Bekasi, when a locomotive collided with a Cirebon Express train.
"All employees here took part in training on train safety last week. And, then, this accident happens today," he said.
"There are already standard procedures on the matter. You don't move when the light is red."
In a fatal accident on Tuesday, eight personnel of the State Employees Administration Agency (BAKN) died and dozens suffered severe injuries when an intercity train crashed into their bus in South Jakarta.
The accident, which took place at the first U-turn after Pancasila University, reportedly occurred because an official at the railroad crossing failed to close the crossing gate despite a bell signaling the train's approach. (01/05/ylt)