Officials said a train wreck has killed at least seven people in Jakarta, and the toll could rise as rescue assets are quickly deployed. Rescue workers are already ensconced in distorted metal and damaged coaches, and continue to search for potential survivors.
A train accident caused panic among passengers and neighbours nearby after two trains seemed to have collided on a bustling rail line. Graphic eyewitness accounts suggest the sound was as loud as ever and of the confusion that followed, with some hurt passengers shouting for help as rubble piled up and the tracks were toppled by it.
Rescue crews, including members of the National Search and Rescue Agency, rushed to the scene as soon as possible. Some of the victims are still trapped under debris, and many are reportedly alive, officials said. “We believe there are survivors that are buried beneath the debris.”
The workers are working slowly, so no one is injured more, one rescuer said. Heavy machinery has been hoisted onto the job site to help clear the wreckage, but officials are cautious because buildings can collapse, and anyone who comes in contact with them could be harmed.
Doctors have established a safety zone around the emergency room, and people who are injured have been sent to hospitals around the city. Indonesian officials are starting an investigation to find out what caused the crash. Officials said initial reports suggest that a signalling error or miscommunication between train operators may have contributed to the crash; conclusions are too early.
Transport officials at Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation said it will closely investigate the case. There will most likely be some investigation into safety mechanisms and procedures. Recently, the results were brought and raised new questions about rail safety in Indonesia, particularly in densely populated urban areas, like Jakarta, highly dependent on rail connectivity.
The nation is in the midst of modernising its transport system, but the episode underlines how tough it is to maintain safety rules. As rescue operations continue into the night, families of the passengers nervously gaze into the night for news of their loved ones.
Safety officials should not allow the public near the crash site if they do not want these rescuers stuck in their work. But the next hours of rescue are critical, with drivers racing against the clock to ensure survivors survive. The country, meanwhile, is mourning the deaths that, if true, will be some of Indonesia’s deadliest train accidents in years.
