Three die in train collision

TEGAL, Central Java: At least three people died and several houses were burned down by a fire when a train loaded with fuel oil crashed into a steamroller crossing the railroad tracks near Kebasen village, on the outskirts of Tegal, yesterday.

The bodies of the three victims, the train's driver and assistant, and the steamroller's operator, have yet to be found, an employee of the state-owned railway company PT Perumka said.

An eyewitness said two of the train's six cars blew up and burst into flames when the train hit the steamroller.

Fire quickly spread to nearby buildings, a shop and several houses, witnesses said.

The authorities mobilized fire trucks from the districts of Tegal, Pekalongan and Brebes but strong winds initially made it difficult for the fire to be extinguished, the Perumka employee said. (45)