A train accident in Indonesia, which occurred on April 27 at Bekasi Timur Station, resulted in 14 passengers killed and 84 injured following a collision between a commuter train and the Argo Bromo Anggrek long-distance train. The incident took place east of Jakarta and was confirmed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the national operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia.
“We are deeply saddened by this incident. On behalf of myself and the government, I extend my sincere condolences to all those affected,” said Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
The accident occurred when the intercity train, traveling on the Jakarta–Surabaya route, entered the same track and rear-ended the commuter train stopped at the station. The impact was extremely powerful, affecting in particular the last car of the commuter train, where most of the victims were located.
The rescue operation was a lengthy one, lasting between 8 and 12 hours, with each step carried out with caution to ensure a safe evacuation. Approximately 240 passengers on the long-distance train were evacuated, but four people required special assistance to be safely extracted. Medical teams, rescue workers, representatives of the railway operator, and law enforcement agencies worked together on-site in a coordinated effort.
To support the families and those affected, information centers were set up at the Gambir and Bekasi Timur train stations, where information and assistance are being provided for a period of 14 days.
Rail safety under pressure
The accident on April 27 is considered one of the most serious recent incidents on the Indonesian railway network and caused major disruptions to train service in the Bekasi–Cikarang area. Several services were canceled or rerouted, and the event has once again brought the vulnerabilities of the railway system to the forefront.
President Prabowo Subianto ordered that assistance for the victims be provided at the highest level and called for a full investigation to determine the causes. Accompanied by Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi, he visited the victims hospitalized in Bekasi, requesting that all injured persons receive the best possible medical care.
At the same time, the president emphasized the importance of a swift and thorough analysis of the accident, noting that identifying the causes is essential for implementing effective preventive measures. He called for the investigation to be expedited and for concrete solutions to be implemented to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Moving toward concrete action
In the context of this accident, authorities have highlighted structural issues with the railway infrastructure, particularly regarding level crossings. The President drew attention to the technical condition of the network and the need for modernization, including regarding the rolling stock in operation.
A critical issue is the approximately 1,800 level crossings identified on the island of Java, many of which are inadequately protected. “From a technological standpoint, he also analyzed the year of manufacture of the trains. In addition, he called for measures to be taken at the approximately 1,800 level crossings, either by stationing supervisory personnel or by constructing overpasses, to eliminate the risk of accidents,” explained Minister Prasetyo Hadi.
The government will conduct a comprehensive assessment of these critical points, particularly in densely populated areas such as Bekasi, a city in western Java. In this context, the construction of an overpass in Bekasi has been deemed an urgent priority. “We will act immediately. The local government in Bekasi has proposed the construction of an overpass, and I have approved its implementation with direct support from the presidential level,” stated Prabowo Subianto.
The modernization program aims to improve traffic safety and reduce the risk of accidents, and the estimated budget amounts to nearly 4 trillion Indonesian rupiah, equivalent to approximately 230–240 EUR million.
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