5-1-2024 (JAKARTA) A tragic train collision on Indonesia’s main island of Java has resulted in the loss of three lives and left at least 28 individuals injured. The incident occurred at 6:03 a.m. local time near rice fields in Cicalengka, West Java province, causing multiple train carriages to overturn.
The collision involved the Turangga train, part of an intra-city line connecting Surabaya in East Java to Bandung, and a local commuter train. The Turangga train was carrying 287 passengers, while the local commuter line had 191 people on board, according to Ayen Hanepi, a spokesman for railway operator PT KAI.
Emergency response teams promptly evacuated all passengers, and the injured individuals were swiftly transported to a local hospital, as confirmed by provincial police spokesman Ibrahim Tompo.
Transportation accidents are unfortunately not uncommon in Indonesia, where various modes of transportation, including buses, trains, and planes, often face issues related to age and maintenance. This incident serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of the country’s transportation infrastructure.
The last major train collision in Indonesia occurred in 2015 when a commuter train collided with a minibus on a level crossing in Jakarta, resulting in the tragic loss of 16 lives. In 2013, another collision between a commuter train and a fuel tanker at a level crossing in Jakarta claimed seven lives and left numerous others injured.
