Wed, 28 Apr 1999

Angry residents set Mayasari bus on fire

JAKARTA (JP): A Mayasari Bakti bus plying the Kampung Rambutan-Tangerang route was set on fire by local residents on Jl. M.T. Haryono in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Tuesday morning following an accident.

Residents were incensed after the air-conditioned bus collided with two men riding on a motorcycle. The accident took place at about 9:30 a.m.

The men, identified as Supendi and Abdul Hamid, suffered serious leg and head injuries. They were rushed to Indonesia Christian University Hospital.

The bus driver and his crew ran from the vehicle as dozens of angry residents gathered.

Residents pushed the bus to the edge of the street in front of the Ministry of Justice, leading the 30 panicked passengers on board to flee.

Residents then set the vehicle on fire.

The East Jakarta Fire Department deployed a fire engine but the fire destroyed almost all of the bus.

Although no fatalities were reported, the incident caused heavy traffic congestion on the street during the morning rush hour. (jun)