Twelve die in bus accident

JAKARTA (JP): Twelve people died and 30 others were injured when a Cahaya Kerinci passenger bus plunged into a ravine in the Sitinjau Laut area some 20 kilometers south of Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, early yesterday.

Antara reported that the bus, bound for Padang from Sungai Penuh, Jambi, was speeding in an area known for its sharp bends before it lost control.

Padang police chief Lt. Col. Sutigno Soebrata said the 30 victims were currently being treated at the Dr. M. Djamil Hospital in Padang. Four of those who died were yet to be identified. Those identified were Dt. Rangkayo Pendek, Lukman, Jamin, Afrizal, Alan, Desma, Kastini and bus crew member Kennedy. The bus driver, who survived but escaped the scene, has yet to be identified.

Some passengers blamed the accident on loose brakes. Sutigno, however, said police were still investigating the cause of the accident.

The bus had 42 seats, but was carrying 57 passengers at the time of the accident. "Those passengers should have refused to board an overloaded bus," Sutigno said. (swe)