Jakarta (EFE).- Local authorities and the national railway company reported on Monday that four people died and around 30 were injured and taken to hospitals after two trains collided on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia.
The affected trains were a commuter vehicle coming from Jakarta and a long-distance train that collided Monday night at East Bekasi Station, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Jakarta.
Authorities and local media report that the cause of the collision is still unknown.
The Jakarta Metropolitan Police Department initially reported three deaths and 29 hospitalizations but stated that these figures could change as the evacuation operation continued, with around a dozen people still trapped at the accident site.
The state railway company, KAI, later raised the number of fatalities to four, all of whom were traveling on the commuter train. KAI apologized and offered condolences to the families of those affected.
The company said that the 240 passengers on the long-distance train were evacuated safely and that 38 people on the commuter train sent to different hospitals in the area.
«We offer our deepest condolences and apologies for this incident. Our current focus is on ensuring that the victims receive the best possible care,» said the KAI statement. They added that they will continue to work in coordination with the police, army, and medical teams.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago made up of over 17,000 islands, including Java (where Jakarta is located), the most populous island, has committed in recent years to strengthening its railway system.
In 2023, the country launched its first high-speed train, connecting the capital city to Bandung.EFE
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