Residents Block Railway Tracks in Batubara After Pedestrian Struck by Train
A viral video showed residents blocking an unguarded railway crossing in Medang Deras District, Batubara Regency, North Sumatra.
The blockade was carried out after a pedestrian was killed after being struck by the Datuk Belambangan train on the Lalang–Tebing Tinggi route.
In the circulating video, residents burned used tyres directly on the railway tracks on Monday (17/8). Residents also placed wooden tables and chairs in the middle of the tracks. The action prevented the Datuk Belambangan train from continuing its journey to Lalang.
Eventually, the Datuk Belambangan train was forced to return to Tebing Tinggi.
The head of Lalang village delivered a speech to representatives of PT KAI urging them to improve safety at the crossing, as accidents at the unguarded crossing had occurred repeatedly. After negotiations, the residents ended the blockade.
PT KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra Public Relations Manager Anwar Yuli Prastyo confirmed that train operations on the Bandar Tinggi–Kuala Tanjung line returned to normal after the track blockade by residents at Kilometre 15+800 on the Lalang–Tanjung Gading section was lifted on Monday (17/8) at 20.57 WIB.
“After an agreement was reached between KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra, the Medang Deras community, and the Medan Class I Railway Engineering Centre (BTP), the blockade was opened and the line could be used by trains again from 20.57 WIB,” Anwar said on Tuesday (18/8).
“We appreciate all parties who communicated and sought a joint solution so that train operations could return to normal,” he added.
Anwar explained that during the negotiation process, the community agreed to a number of safety measures at the level crossings. The Medan Class I BTP, as a technical implementation unit under the Directorate General of Railways responsible for managing and supervising railway infrastructure and safety, approved the construction of safety barriers at five level crossings on the Bandar Tinggi–Kuala Tanjung line.
“In addition, the community also proposed reducing train speeds to 50 kilometres per hour at the location as part of efforts to improve safety. This agreement is expected to serve as a joint step to improve safety at level crossings,” Anwar said.
Previously, residents blockaded the railway line at Kilometre 15+800 after an incident involving the Datuk Belambangan train on the Lalang–Tebing Tinggi route and a pedestrian at 10.04 WIB on Monday (17/8).
The incident resulted in the pedestrian’s death.
As a result of the blockade, KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra made a number of operational adjustments, including cancelling five container freight train services and adjusting the operating pattern of the Datuk Belambangan train, which originally served journeys to Lalang Station to only go as far as Tanjung Gading Station.
“KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra also urges the public not to blockade railway lines or place objects or materials on the tracks. Besides endangering train safety, such actions can disrupt operations and endanger communities near the line,” he said.
A similar incident previously occurred on 28 February 2025.
KAI Regional Division I North Sumatra reminded that railway lines are protected by law. Under Law Number 23 of 2007 on Railways, Article 181 Paragraph (1), the public is prohibited from being in the railway right-of-way, dragging, moving, placing, or shifting objects on the tracks, and using the tracks for purposes other than rail transport.
“Violations of these provisions can be subject to a maximum prison sentence of three months or a maximum fine of Rp15 million. We invite the entire community and stakeholders to jointly maintain railway safety,” he said.