Minibus burns on toll road

JAKARTA (JP): An illegal intercity minibus carrying 11 passengers from Cilacap, Central Java, to Lampung, Sumatra, caught fire while traveling on the Cawang-Semanggi toll road here on Saturday morning.

The fire, believed to have been caused by sparks from a malfunctioning part, killed a 60-year-old woman, identified as Sarwidi, and seriously wounded four other passengers.

The driver of the minibus, identified as Pendi, 21, and his codriver, Bogel, 17, fled the scene. Both of them are still at large.

The four victims who suffered serious burns were identified as Sinem, 60; Warsito, 40; Mukri, 47; and Sahrudin, 40.

The victims, currently being treated at UKI Hospital in Cawang, East Jakarta, said the incident occurred at about 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. They said the fire spread quickly a few seconds after an explosion was heard.

"I managed to escape the fire through the window. I saw the others were forced to escape the vehicle through the flames," Warsito said.

He said none of the passengers were able to rescue the elderly woman because the fire spread too quickly.

Each of the passengers paid Rp 40,000 (US$4.50) for the trip.

"I had a bad feeling from the beginning because the bus had already stalled three times," Warsito said. (bsr)