Two Trains Collide Outside Jakarta, Killing At Least Four And Injuring Dozens

Two trains collided outside Indonesia’s capital Jakarta late Monday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens, as rescuers worked to free passengers trapped in badly damaged carriages.

“Toggle Play Survivors of deadly Indonesia train crash pulled from wreckage Two trains collided in Bekasi, Indonesia late Monday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens more who rescuers pulled from the wreckage”

Al Jazeera

The BBC reported that a stationary commuter train was hit from behind by a long-distance commuter train arriving on the same track, with the final number of casualties “still to be confirmed.”

Al Jazeera

A KAI spokesperson, Anne Purba, confirmed the four deaths and said “38 other people had been taken to nearby hospitals,” adding, “KAI expresses its deepest condolences and condolences to the victims and their bereaved families.”

The collision took place in Bekasi, with the BBC describing the site as approximately 25km (15.5 miles) from Jakarta, and Al Jazeera describing survivors being pulled from wreckage in Bekasi.

The Washington Post and AP described “One train slammed into another at a station outside Indonesia’s capital on Monday,” leaving “several trapped in a badly damaged car.”

Reuters witnesses cited by The News International said the crash occurred at Bekasi train station between a commuter line passenger train and a long-distance train, and People reported that the incident occurred at the East Bekasi Station.

Across outlets, the same basic sequence emerged: a commuter train stopped at Bekasi Timur Station, then a long-distance train struck its rear car, with rescue teams using tools to reach those inside.

Multiple reports described the collision involving the rear of a commuter train that had stopped at Bekasi Timur Station, with the car designated for women only.

The BBC said the stationary train was struck from behind by a long-distance commuter train arriving on the same track, and it described passengers on medical trolleys near Bekasi Timur Station as rescuers worked in the wreckage.

BBC

The Mirror and People both described the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train crashing into the rear car of a commuter train stopped at Bekasi Timur Station, and People specified that the car was “designated for women only.”

The News International similarly said the collision took place in Bekasi train station between a commuter line passenger train and a long-distance train, and it quoted a commuter line operator spokesperson, Karina Amanda, saying, “we are focusing on evacuating passengers and train crew.”

People reported that a KAI spokesperson said “four people were killed and 38 people were taken for medical treatment,” and it also stated that all 240 people from the long-distance train were safely evacuated.

The Sun added that “Authorities also temporarily shut off overhead electric power along the Cibitung–East Bekasi line,” while Reuters witnesses cited by The News International said “At least 20 ambulances were seen at Bekasi station.”

France 24 (AFP) described a possible contributing factor involving a taxi at a level crossing, saying “a taxi appears to have clipped the commuter train on a level crossing.”

Officials and witnesses described an emergency response that included evacuation, medical treatment, and efforts to reach trapped passengers.

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The BBC reported that Jakarta Police Chief Insp Gen Asep Edi Suheri said “six or seven people remained trapped inside the carriages,” while the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, visited the site and said the death toll could rise.

The News International quoted Sufmi Dasco Ahmad saying, “fears that the number of victims could continue to rise,” and it also said he advised remaining vigilant and hoping for evacuation to be completed quickly.

People described KAI’s statement that it was “focusing efforts on the evacuation of passengers and crew, as well as victim handling with safety top priority,” and it quoted KAI’s apology: “KAI conveyed its apologies for this incident.”

The BBC also included eyewitness accounts, saying one passenger told the BBC’s Indonesian service that “Some people screamed "hysterically" as the trains collided,” and other eyewitnesses said they had seen “many victims” injured.

In France 24 (AFP), survivor Sausan Sarifah, 29, described the moment of impact and the crush inside the carriages, saying, “I thought I was going to die,” and recounting, “There was no time to get out, and everyone ended up piled up inside the train, crushed on top of one another.”

ucanews and France 24 (AFP) described rescue teams using oxygen and assistance from multiple agencies, with ucanews quoting Franoto Wibowo saying victims were evacuated with help from “the military, fire brigade, the national search and rescue agency, and the Red Cross.”

While most outlets initially reported at least four deaths, other accounts gave higher figures and different injury counts, reflecting divergence in early reporting.

The BBC said “At least four people were killed and dozens injured,” and it confirmed “38 other people had been taken to nearby hospitals,” while the Washington Post described “killing at least four people” and “injuring dozens.”

France 24

The News International and People both aligned with four deaths and 38 injured, with People quoting a KAI spokesperson saying “four people were killed and 38 people were taken for medical treatment.”

However, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported a higher toll, stating “7 killed and dozens injured,” and it quoted KAI spokeswoman Anna Purba saying “seven people had been killed in the crash and 81 were injured.”

France 24 (AFP) also reported seven deaths and 81 injuries, quoting Purba that “seven people had been killed in the crash and 81 were injured.”

Hindustan Times reported a much lower figure at one point, saying “2 deaths confirmed” and quoting Franoto Wibowo: “Hospital records show that two victims have died.”

Al Jazeera’s account said the crash killed “at least four people” and injured “dozens more,” focusing on survivors being pulled from wreckage.

As the crash response continued, outlets reported ongoing investigations and the possibility that casualty numbers could change as trapped passengers were freed.

“Two trains collide near Indonesia's Jakarta, 2 deaths confirmed The collision occurred near the Bekasi Timur Station, about 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Jakarta”

Hindustan Times

The BBC said rescue efforts were under way to free passengers trapped, and it reported that the death toll could rise, citing Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad’s visit to the site.

Hindustan Times

The News International similarly said Sufmi Dasco Ahmad “fears that the number of victims could continue to rise,” and it described his advice to remain vigilant while hoping evacuation would be completed quickly.

Jakarta Police Chief Asep Edi Suheri told reporters that the investigation into the incident was continuing, according to The News International, and the BBC also reported his statement that “six or seven people remained trapped inside the carriages.”

France 24 (AFP) described the Jakarta search and rescue agency saying the collision caused “significant damage to several train carriages,” and it quoted the agency’s statement that rescuers were “carrying out the evacuation process for the trapped victims using extrication equipment to free them from the wrecked train structures.”

The BBC also placed the crash within a broader pattern of accidents, saying Indonesia’s public transport network has a high accident rate due in part to “ageing infrastructure and poor maintenance,” and it referenced a prior collision in January 2024 in Cicalengka.

The immediate next steps described in the reporting were continued evacuation, ongoing police investigation, and further casualty confirmation as rescue operations progressed.