Public minivan catches fire, one dies

CIREBON, West Java: A security guard died aboard an angkot public minivan that caught on fire on Friday after colliding with a private minibus in the West Java town of Cirebon.

Four others also suffered serious burns in the incident, and are still undergoing intensive treatment at a local hospital.

The victims did not receive immediate help, since the incident occurred in Pesindangan village at 2:30 a.m., when local residents were still asleep.

Sobirin, alias Abeng, a security guard of a department store in the town, was found dead, his body covered in burns, while four others escaped the burning minivan and were first taken to a nearby public health center before they were taken to a hospital.

Witnesses said the accident occurred when the public minivan, which was speeding, hit a parked minibus in the village and then crashed into a farm plot before bursting into flames.

"We were waken up by a strong explosion from the burning minivan. Sobirin was inside could not come out," said Gojali, a resident of the village.

Local police were still investigating the case. The minivan driver, Deimamm, alias Imam, 36, has been arrested. -- JP