By Blessing Nweke
Emergency teams are working through the night to rescue passengers trapped inside wreckage following a deadly train collision near Jakarta on Monday, which has left at least 14 people dead and dozens injured.
The crash occurred close to Bekasi Timur Station when a stationary passenger train was struck from behind by a long-distance commuter train traveling on the same track. Authorities say several victims remain trapped inside crushed carriages.
“There are still victims alive but pinned by train material,” said Mohammad Syafii, who is leading the rescue effort. He added that specialized personnel are being deployed to carefully extricate survivors without causing further harm.
Footage from local media showed injured passengers being carried on stretchers, while rescuers struggled to cut through twisted metal. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with passengers screaming “hysterically” as the trains collided.
According to Bobby Rasyidin, 84 people are currently receiving treatment in nearby hospitals. He explained that the accident was triggered when a taxi became stuck on a rail crossing, halting the passenger train. A second train then crashed into a women-only carriage.
Police chief Asep Edi Suheri said six or seven individuals are still believed to be trapped.
Authorities confirmed that medical and funeral expenses will be fully covered, and the station will remain closed temporarily.
- Indonesia’s rail system has faced persistent safety concerns. In the Cicalengka train collision, several people were killed in a similar earlier this year, raising fresh questions about infrastructure and maintenance standards.
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