A long-distance train, the Argo Bromo Anggrek, slammed into the rear car of a stopped commuter train at Bekasi Timur Station outside Jakarta on Monday. The collision caused severe damage to the commuter train's rear car, which was designated for women only to help avoid harassment. While all 240 passengers on the long-distance train were reported safe, the death toll from the accident has climbed to 14.
Rescuers worked into Tuesday to reach passengers trapped in the wreckage, with the head of Indonesia's national rescue agency confirming that removal efforts were ongoing. A total of 81 injured people were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Local footage showed passengers panicking and residents assisting first responders in evacuating the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Committee is investigating the cause of the crash. Bobby Rasyidin, CEO of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia, noted that another commuter train struck a stalled taxi on a nearby crossing, suggesting a potential rail system disruption. The company issued an apology and stated that safety remains the top priority.
Accidents are common on Indonesia's aging railroad network. Similar incidents include a January 2024 collision in West Java that killed four people, a 2013 crash into a minibus that killed 13, and a 2010 accident in Central Java that resulted in 36 deaths.