At least seven people died yesterday when a commuter train collided with a truck carrying fuel in Indonesia’s capital, sending a fireball of flames and black smoke shooting skywards.
The accident in Jakarta killed the train engineer and at least six other people, said a police spokesman. About 20 others were injured.
A burned-out passenger car was seen lying on its side while plumes of black smoke billowed from parts of the engulfed train, run by PT KAI Commuter train company.
The train was heading for central Jakarta when the accident occurred just before noon, said company spokeswoman Eva Chairunisa.
She said the truck was carrying liquified petroleum gas, but police said it was petrol. Two carriages derailed during the accident, and hundreds of passengers ran from the train, many screaming and crying. Rescuers worked to pull out three bodies pinned under the wreckage, said a firefighter at the scene. The cause of the accident is being investigated.
