Two die, dozens injured in train crash

Two die, dozens injured in train crash

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A passenger train rammed into another train in Rawa Bambu, Pasar
Minggu, South Jakarta, early Thursday evening, killing at least
two people and injuring dozens of others, three of whom are in a
critical condition.

A woman identified as Nuryani, 43, was killed on the spot,
while an unidentified man died shortly after arriving at the
Siaga Hospital in Pasar Minggu.

However, a witness quoted by Detikcom said that he had brought
four dead bodies to Pasar Rebo hospital in East Jakarta after the
accident.

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI)'s director for the Greater
Jakarta area, Rahmadi, said that the accident took place at
around 6 p.m., when the Pakuan Express train, which was heading
for Jakarta from Bogor, was suddenly hit from behind by a local
suburban train.

Rahmadi explained that another train, No. 221, had stopped
near Tanjung Barat railway station because of engine trouble.

"The Pakuan Express stopped not far behind train No. 221 to
allow it to have its engine repaired. A suburban train then
slammed into the rear of the Pakuan Express," Rahmadi said.

"We don't know why the suburban train didn't stop as the light
must have been red there. It could be caused by human error or
mechanical problems. We will look into the case," Rahmadi said.

At 7:30 Pakuan Express was moved to Bukit Duri station in
South Jakarta, but the suburban train was badly damaged in the
crash and could not be moved.

Dozens of injured people were brought to Siaga and Fatmawati
hospitals in South Jakarta and Pasar Rebo hospital in East
Jakarta.

South Jakarta police precinct chief Sr. Comr. Guffron said
that the train drivers involved in the accident had been detained
for questioning.

"We have detained them. We need them to explain what
happened," he told The Jakarta Post, while refusing to reveal
their identities.

Guffron said that at least 59 people were injured in the incident
-- 39 people were taken to Pasar Rebo hospital, 10 to Fatmawati
hospital and 10 to Siaga hospital.

Rahmadi said they were still counting the number of people
killed or injured in the accident.

"We have evacuated most of the injured people. Our officers at
the scene are still counting how many people were injured or
killed. We hope that we can move the wrecked cars as quickly as
possible so that the line can reopen," he told the Post.