KNKT Admits Still Struggling to Access Digital Data from Bekasi Timur Train Accident

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Chair of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), Soerjanto Tjahjono, has admitted to difficulties in accessing digital data to investigate the train accident at Bekasi Timur Station in West Java, which occurred on 27 April.

“If it were easy to access, it would be quick, but sometimes digital data is also difficult,” said Soerjanto when met at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Wednesday (13/5/2026).

According to Soerjanto, KNKT is still in the stage of gathering data from the field. Several technical aspects are also being examined, from signalling and train routes to communications.

“So we are still in the stage of collecting data from the field and there are still some tests we need to conduct on the signalling, the tracks, and how the communications were,” he explained.

Soerjanto stated that KNKT also still needs to interview several parties related to the accident. However, the number of people to be questioned depends on the results of the evaluation of the digital data being accessed.

“It depends on the fact that on the train there is CCTV, there is data like its black box, and then depending on the results of the evaluation of that data, whether we need to request confirmation or further statements from the people related to the issue,” said Soerjanto.

According to Soerjanto, the data from the vehicle will be used to clarify the chronology of the incident with the driver and other parties present at the location at the time.

“We have obtained some of the data, but we also need to clarify it again with the driver; later, if the data from the taxi car has a black box too. We are downloading it now; after we evaluate it, we will ask the driver or the people around what happened in that green taxi,” stated Soerjanto.

Although the investigation is not yet complete, Soerjanto assured that all parties have been cooperative so far in providing statements to KNKT.

“Cooperative, no obstacles if we request statements,” Soerjanto emphasised.

When asked about the deadline for completing the investigation, Soerjanto stressed that KNKT cannot yet determine a target because there are still several pieces of data that have not been successfully accessed.

“We cannot determine it yet because there are still data that we cannot access,” he said.

Soerjanto also emphasised that KNKT does not focus on finding who should be blamed in the accident.