Deputy Transport Minister apologises for train disruptions due to East Bekasi incident
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Transportation (Wamenhub) Suntana has expressed apologies for the disruptions to train services caused by the collision between a Commuter Line train and a long-distance train at East Bekasi Station, West Java, on Monday (27/4) night.
“We apologise; this is because we are currently focused on handling the evacuation, which we want to complete as quickly as possible,” said the Deputy Minister in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He emphasised that the service disruptions are occurring because the government, along with relevant parties, is concentrating efforts on the ongoing evacuation process for victims at the incident site.
According to him, the government, through the Ministry of Transportation and PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), will strive as much as possible to restore transportation services gradually.
He also conveyed appreciation for the support and prayers from the Indonesian public, which he believes will help accelerate the handling of the accident incident.
In addition, the government, together with KAI and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), will continue to provide periodic updates on the developments in the handling at the scene.
The Deputy Minister also requested prayers so that all victims can be evacuated quickly and receive the best care, enabling the recovery process to proceed swiftly and optimally.
On the other hand, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) has assured a 100 percent ticket refund for all long-distance train passengers affected by the cancellation of journeys due to the train collision incident at East Bekasi Station on Monday (27/4) night.
KAI’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Anne Purba, explained that the full refund policy is provided to give certainty to customers.
“KAI is providing a 100 percent ticket fee refund, excluding booking fees, for affected customers. We ensure that the entire process can be accessed easily through various service channels,” said Anne in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, based on updates as of 13:26 WIB, there have been 15 fatalities and 88 people injured.
All deceased victims have been taken to Kramat Jati Police Hospital for identification, while the injured victims are receiving treatment at several hospitals.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and the families left behind. We also apologise for the inconvenience experienced by customers in this situation,” said Anne.