Train passengers stranded in Depok

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of passengers on two electric trains serving the Bogor-Jakarta route were stranded outside Old Depok station for hours on Thursday due to a severed electricity cable.

"To all passengers traveling to Jakarta, we would like to apologize as the trains cannot depart due to an electrical fault," an official announced repeatedly, as reported by Antara.

As a result, the passengers of the two trains -- each consisting of eight cars -- had to wait for hours before they could continue their journey.

The chaotic situation was made even more unbearable by the stifling heat and crying of babies.

The problem started when a train was forced to halt about 100 meters after it left New Depok station because the electricity cable was severed.

The gantry carrying the cable above the line was bent and it is thought that this was what led to the severing of the cable.

Because of the sudden halt, a teenager who was riding on the roof of the train was tossed to the ground. Seriously injured, he was rushed to the nearest hospital.

An official with PT Kereta Api Indonesia (the state-owned railroad company) said that it would take some time to repair the broken cable. Until it was repaired, only one line, instead of the normal two, could be used by trains.