Picnickers rushed to hospital

JAKARTA (JP): Thirteen picnickers were rushed to hospital after their minibus caught fire on the Jagorawi toll road on Monday.

Jagorawi toll road police officer Brig. Zulkarnaen identified the victims as Sri Rahayu, Selvi, Fahri, Wilardi, Rahmeni, Tri Astuti, Sri Susanti, Furoh, Dewi, Munaroh, Seni, Dea and Neni -- all residents of Kampung Dukuh Praja Dalam subdistrict in South Jakarta.

He said six of the 13 passengers suffered serious burns while the other seven sustained only minor injuries.

They were on their way home from an outing, when their vehicle suddenly caught fire on the toll road. The fire was apparently caused by a spark which set alight the fuel tank. The driver failed to stop the van immediately and several passengers on the back seat were burned. The vehicle stopped only after hitting a road median.

The passengers managed to get out of the van. On-duty officials at state-owned toll road operator Jasamarga rushed the injured picnickers to Bina Husada Hospital in Cibinong, Bogor.

Two of the passengers, Sri Rahayu and Furoh who sustained serious burns, were then transferred to Cipto Manungunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta.

The driver who also suffered light injuries was detained at Bogor regency police office for further questioning. (01)