Jakarta: At least 14 people have been killed and dozens injured following a devastating train crash near Jakarta, as rescue teams continue urgent efforts to reach survivors trapped inside the wreckage.
The accident occurred outside Bekasi Timur Station when a stationary passenger train was struck from behind by a long-distance commuter train travelling on the same track. The impact caused severe damage to multiple carriages, leaving several passengers pinned under twisted metal.
According to Mohammad Syafii, who leads Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, some victims remain alive but are trapped beneath debris. Syafii remarked that, “There are still victims who are alive to this minute, but they’re pinned by train material. We are working carefully to extricate them.”
Emergency responders were seen transporting injured passengers on medical trolleys, while others worked to cut through mangled train compartments. Officials confirmed that at least 81 injured individuals are receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
Bobby Rasyidin, president director of Indonesia’s state railway operator, said the crash was triggered after the commuter train struck a taxi that had stalled on a rail crossing. The obstruction prevented the train from moving forward, resulting in a catastrophic rear-end collision.
An oncoming long-distance train subsequently slammed into a women-only carriage, intensifying the impact and casualties. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. One passenger told local media that people were screaming ‘hysterically’ at the moment of impact, while others reported seeing numerous injured victims scattered across the site.
Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri confirmed that six to seven individuals remain trapped inside the damaged carriages, with rescue operations ongoing. Indonesia’s rail network has faced ongoing safety concerns, often linked to ageing infrastructure and maintenance challenges.
In a similar incident in January 2024, multiple fatalities were reported after two trains collided in a rice field in Cicalengka. Authorities are continuing investigations into the latest crash as efforts intensify to rescue those still trapped.
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