Three hurt in taxi explosion

JAKARTA: A Kosti Jaya taxi exploded on Jl. Faletehan, Blok M, South Jakarta, early Monday morning hurting the driver and two bystanders.

South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Ghufron said that the explosion was caused by a leak in the vehicle's gas canister. Some Kosti Jaya taxis use CNG fuel.

"The engine was running when the explosion occurred," he said.

Snack seller, Burhan, who witnessed the incident said that a few minutes before the explosion the driver was seen rushing toward a nearby mosque. The explosion caused several vehicle parts such as the radiator and hubcaps to be thrown 40 meters away.

The driver escaped the explosion with minor injuries to the back of the head, while two people standing nearby were treated at Pertamina Hospital for leg and arm lacerations.

Two forensic teams from the South Jakarta Police are currently investigating the cause of the explosion. --JP