Landslide stops train

BANDUNG: The economy-class Sawunggalih train from Kutoarjo in Central Java to Bandung was brought to a stop in Ciamis on Friday after being struck by stones and soil from a collapsing hill adjacent to the track.

Railway company spokesman, Akhmad Sujadi said the debris hit locomotive No. CC 201 102 with its six coaches at 12:11 p.m., forcing the train to stop.

"There were no fatalities in the incident. But the driver's assistant, Sudarmadji was slightly injured," Akhmad said.

He said the company arranged for the passengers to continue to their destination by bus.

"The trains from Bandung to Kroya, Yogyakarta and Surabaya have to be detoured," he said, citing the Argowilis, Mutiara Selatan, Turangga, Lodaya, Kahuripan, Cisadane and Serayu trains.

He added that the company would clear the track and lift the locomotive as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, hundreds of houses in the Rancaekek district of Bandung have been inundated following torrential rains on Thursday.

Rancaekek, some 25 kilometers east of downtown Bandung, is known as a flood-prone area. A local said that the water level reached between 70 and 120 centimeters in places. (25/sur)