Traffic accidents kill 18

JAMBI, Jambi: A total of 18 people were killed in three separate traffic accidents here and in the East Java town of Ponorogo on Monday.

A head-on collision involving a minibus and a truck on the Trans Sumatra highway in Jambi claimed four lives of a family who left the town for a New Year holiday. Six other minibus passengers and its driver survived, but four of them were severely injured.

The fatalities were identified as Opung Irma Sihombing, 60, Yohanes Siahaan, 48, Roma Boro Jawa, 4, and Onces Sibarani, 4. They were residents of the Rimbo Bujang district.

Head of the police's traffic unit, Second Lt. Enos Lase told Antara that the crash took place at a sharp bend. He blamed the truck for the incident, saying it crossed over the traffic line.

The truck's driver is now in police detention.

Meanwhile, at least 13 people were killed and another 16 injured when their pickup truck plunged into a ravine in Candi village in Ponorogo.

Carrying about 40 passengers, the truck failed to climb a steep curve and went down the eight-meter deep ravine, killing 12 of the passengers instantly.

Earlier in the day, a woman died as an overloaded pickup truck overturned in Cepoko village, also in Ponorogo. (lem/amd)