Jakarta, Apr 28 — At least 14 people were killed and more than 80 injured after two trains collided near Indonesia’s capital late Monday night, with rescuers continuing efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage.
State-owned rail operator KAI said in a statement that the toll had risen to 14 dead as of Tuesday morning, while 84 injured passengers were receiving hospital treatment. Earlier estimates had put the toll at five deaths and 79 injured.
The crash occurred at Bekasi station, adjoining Jakarta, involving a commuter line train and a long-distance service, according to commuter line spokesperson Karina Amanda.
Head of the national rescue agency BASARNAS, Mohammad Syafii, said emergency teams were working to reach passengers still trapped inside damaged carriages.
“Efforts are ongoing to remove those trapped, but conditions are difficult due to limited space and severe damage,” he said, adding that rescuers had to proceed “slowly” while cutting through twisted metal.
Teams on the ground used angle grinders to dismantle sections of the wreckage after disengaging the trains, according to local reports.
KAI spokesperson Franoto Wibowo said preliminary findings suggest a taxi struck the commuter train at a level crossing, forcing it to stop on the tracks before it was hit by the oncoming long-distance train.
The trains involved were identified as a Jakarta–Cikarang commuter service and the Argo Bromo Anggrek line, a key intercity route connecting Jakarta and Surabaya.
Rail accidents are relatively frequent in Indonesia. In 2010, a collision in Central Java killed 36 people, while in 2015, a train struck a minibus at an unguarded crossing in West Java, leaving 18 dead.