Deadly train collision hits Bekasi
Crash near Jakarta kills 15 and injures dozens
Crowds gathered around the wreckage after a collision between a commuter train and a long-distance service in Bekasi, near Jakarta, that left 15 people dead and 88 injured. Rescuers worked for hours to reach passengers trapped in damaged carriages, using angle grinders and other heavy equipment to cut through twisted metal. A women-only carriage took the heaviest impact, and several cars were derailed and partially overturned, complicating efforts for first responders at the scene.
Witnesses said local residents began carrying out evacuations and removing bodies when responders arrived about an hour to an hour and a half after the crash. One witness said security officers were initially reluctant to attempt rescues for fear of making mistakes, prompting residents to act. Emergency teams completed extraction of all survivors and transported dozens of injured people to nearby hospitals for treatment as rescue operations continued.
President Prabowo Subianto ordered a full investigation into the crash and highlighted concerns that much of the country’s rail network is poorly maintained. The National Transportation Safety Committee is leading the official inquiry, and investigators are examining possible causes including technical failures, track conditions, and human error. Authorities confirmed that search-and-rescue operations have concluded and that efforts are now shifting to recovery, supporting victims and their families, and conducting a thorough probe.
Government officials expressed condolences to the families of those killed and praised emergency crews and local residents for their response. The scale of destruction and the heavy damage to several carriages have renewed calls for urgent reviews of rail infrastructure and operational standards to prevent similar accidents in the future.
