Passenger Testimony During Chaos as Mobile Phone Emits Smoke on KRL Commuter Line at Rawa Buntu

Passengers of the KRL Commuter Line 1641, operating the Rangkasbitung-Tanah Abang route, have recounted the moments smoke began billowing from a women’s carriage, which was later identified as originating from a burning mobile phone. A passenger named Eka Rizky Nuraeni described a scene of widespread shouting and people running to avoid the smoke.

“I disembarked at Rawa Buntu Station from the front door of the women’s carriage. Usually, I tap out immediately, but I stopped briefly on the platform to organise my belongings. While I was doing that, I suddenly heard shouting. Initially, I thought it was just normal noise because the station was crowded,” Eka said on Thursday (17/09/2026).

She noted that the shouting came from the far end of the women’s carriage. Looking back at the carriage she had just occupied, she saw many passengers running and shouting about a fire.

“It turned out that the shouting came from the rear door of the first women’s carriage, the same one I was in. Passengers from inside the carriage immediately rushed out, some shouting ‘fire’,” she added.

Smoke was seen billowing at Rawa Buntu Station due to the incident. Eka noted that many KRL commuters immediately tapped out to leave the station. She also observed security and housekeeping staff moving quickly towards the ticketing area, though she was unsure if they were retrieving fire extinguishers.

Eka, who has used the KRL for seven years, expressed her shock, stating this was the first time she had witnessed such an incident.

Another passenger, Vingky, described the panic caused when a passenger’s bag began to burn, which led to the train being held back as passengers rushed to exit. “The train arrived around 6:50 AM. After the doors closed, a woman near the priority seats suddenly shouted, ‘There is smoke!’ Everyone started shouting and banging on the doors. The train was held and could not depart, and while the doors opened, not everyone could exit easily,” Vingky said.

Vingky added that the incident led to overcrowding and pushing on the platform, causing items such as mobile phones and sandals to fall onto the tracks. “It was chaotic due to the pushing. Eventually, after about 15 minutes, the situation became stable and the train departed,” she said.

KAI Commuter Indonesia (KCI) confirmed that the smoke originated from a passenger’s mobile phone. Leza Arlan, Public Relations Manager of KAI Commuter, stated that security officers on duty noticed a passenger’s bag emitting smoke. The passenger subsequently threw the bag onto the platform area.

Once secured by staff, two mobile phones were found in a burnt condition inside the bag. “Officers immediately assisted passengers in exiting the Commuter Line and secured the bag containing the smoking gadgets. Officers also advised passengers to remain calm and not panic while exiting the train,” Leza said in a statement on Thursday.

Staff subsequently coordinated with the Station Master to interview the passenger. It was reported that one device was being used as a mobile hotspot while the other two devices were inside the bag. KAI Commuter is continuing to manage and coordinate the situation regarding the incident.