KNKT Gathers Field Data on Bus ALS Accident Killing 18 People

The Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), Soerjanto Tjahjono, provided an update on the ongoing probe into the suspected causes of the accident involving the Inter-Sumatra Line Bus (ALS) and a tanker truck in North Musi Rawas, South Sumatra. Soerjanto stated that investigators are still in the field conducting a thorough examination. “The investigators haven’t returned yet,” Soerjanto told reporters on Monday (11/5/2026). Soerjanto did not elaborate on specific findings regarding the incident. He mentioned that his team is still gathering field data. “Up to today, it’s still field data collection,” he said. Previously, the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) disclosed several findings related to the accident involving the ALS bus with licence plate BK-7778-DL (found at the scene) and the tanker truck with licence plate BG-8196-QB in North Musi Rawas, South Sumatra. Kemenhub stated that the ALS bus has lacked a permit since 2020. Kemenhub noted that Director General of Land Transportation Aan Suhanan had personally inspected the accident site and examined the involved vehicles. He said his side is still awaiting the suspected cause of the accident. “Regarding the cause of the accident, the Directorate General of Land Transportation is awaiting the results of the investigation from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) and the police inquiry,” Aan said, as quoted from the official Hubdat Kemenhub website, on Friday (8/5). It is known that at the time of the incident, the ALS bus passed through the Type A Batay Terminal (Lahat) en route to Medan with a manifest of 10 passengers. Subsequently, at the Lubuklinggau Terminal, the bus was recorded leaving at 10:00 WIB with a total manifest of 18 people, consisting of 14 passengers and four crew members. The incident resulted in 16 fatalities, comprising 11 bus passengers, 3 bus crew, and 2 tanker truck crew. There were four injured victims, consisting of three bus passengers and one bus crew member.