Two-train collision near Jakarta leaves at least four dead and dozens injured

PT KAI announced that several commuter train trips were cut short due to the crash.

Rescuers and members of the public descended on the train station, with some searching for relatives. A man cried while holding his brother's bloody bag, and passengers described their experiences during the crash.

Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) initiated an investigation into the train collision.

After visiting a hospital in Bekasi, President Prabowo Subianto said he would support building a flyover near the train tracks to ease heavy traffic and ordered authorities to investigate the collision, noting maintenance concerns across parts of the network.

Taxi operator Green SM Indonesia said the taxi involved in the crash was part of its fleet and posted information to assist in the investigation. Green SM Indonesia is the Indonesian branch of Green and Smart Mobility JSC, affiliated with Vingroup.

Rescuers disengaged the trains and used angle grinders to cut through metal of the compartments to access people trapped inside.

Officials said rescue operations required skilled personnel to perform a careful extrication, as some victims remained alive but pinned by wreckage.

The death toll from the collision increased to 14 and 84 people were injured, with evacuation work still ongoing as rescuers continued to reach survivors.

Late on Monday in Bekasi, a commuter train first collided with a taxi on the tracks and was then hit by a long-distance train. A women-only carriage bore the brunt of the crash. Rescue operations began as authorities responded to the scene.

Local media aired footage of passengers on medical trolleys near Bekasi Timur Station, and a drone video showed the derailed carriages of the express train and the commuter train involved.

Jakarta Police Chief Insp Gen Asep Edi Suheri said six or seven people remained trapped inside carriages, and officials stressed the need for skilled responders to perform a measured extrication.

Bobby Rasyidin of the state-owned railway operator KAI said 84 people were being treated for injuries in nearby hospitals. Bekasi Timur Station was closed to commuters for the rest of Tuesday as rescue operations continued.

On Tuesday, rescuers continued attempts to extricate people from the wreckage. Authorities said some victims were alive but pinned by train material, and that specialized personnel would be required to perform a careful extrication.

At about 20:00, a stationary taxi lying across a railway crossing was hit from behind by a long-distance commuter train on the same track. A second train stopped at the station as a result, and nearly an hour later, a third train, a long-distance commuter train, crashed into a women-only carriage on the second train while pulling into the station. The accident left at least 14 people dead and dozens injured. The accident involved one taxi and three commuter trains.

In January 2024, several people were killed and dozens more injured when two trains collided in a rice field in Cicalengka.

Two trains collided on the same track outside Jakarta, near Bekasi Timur Station. Initial reports said at least four people were killed and dozens injured as a stationary commuter train was hit from behind by a long-distance train. State media reported the collision occurred about 25km (15.5 miles) from Jakarta. Anne Purba, a spokesperson for state-owned railway operator KAI, confirmed four deaths and said 38 people had been taken to nearby hospitals. Rescue efforts were under way to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, with Jakarta Police Chief Insp Gen Asep Edi Suheri stating six or seven people remained trapped. Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad visited the site and cautioned that the death toll could rise. The incident occurred while Indonesia's public transport network is described as having a high accident rate, in part due to ageing infrastructure and poor maintenance.

In January 2024, several people were killed and dozens more injured when two trains collided in a rice field in Cicalengka.