Death Toll In Indonesia Train Crash Rises To 16

The death toll from a devastating train collision near Jakarta has risen to 16 after one of the injured victims died in hospital, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

According to police spokesperson Budi Hermanto, the latest casualty, a 25-year-old woman, succumbed to her injuries earlier in the day, bringing the total number of fatalities to 16.

“All the victims are women,” officials from the national search and rescue agency said, noting that those killed were passengers aboard a commuter train struck late Monday night.

The accident occurred near Bekasi Timur station when a long-distance train rammed into the rear carriage of a stationary commuter train. The carriage, designated for female passengers, bore the brunt of the impact.

Emergency responders worked for nearly 12 hours to rescue trapped passengers, using heavy equipment to pry open twisted and mangled train compartments.

“19 people were injured in the incident,” Hermanto told AFP, adding that 44 victims had since been discharged after receiving treatment.

Authorities said the commuter train had been halted at a level crossing following an earlier incident involving a taxi. It was during this stoppage that the oncoming long-distance train collided with it.

Indonesia’s Transport Minister, Dudy Purwagandhi, confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the role of the taxi company involved in the initial incident.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto attributed the tragedy to unsafe level crossings and has ordered a nationwide review and upgrade of railway intersections.

“We must improve safety at crossings, including installing guard posts or constructing flyovers,” the president said, stressing the urgency of preventing similar incidents.