A train collided with a car in Central Java province on 1/5, killing four people, including two children, and injuring five others. The incident occurred amidst thick fog, which prevented the car driver from seeing the approaching train at a level crossing, according to local traffic police Eko Ari Kisworo. The impact flung the car, carrying 9 people, about 20 meters before it struck a pole and overturned into a rice field.

The car collided with a train in Central Java province on 1/5. *Photo: Grobogan Police*

This tragic event marks the second rail accident in Indonesia within one week. On 27/4, a long-distance train struck the last carriage of a commuter train near Bekasi Timur station in West Java province. That collision killed 16 people and injured at least 90 others. The commuter train had been stopped for about 50 minutes prior, following an earlier collision with a taxi.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto addressed the issue, attributing the frequent accidents to a lack of safety at rail crossings. He ordered nationwide upgrades to improve safety, including the installation of guard posts or overpasses at these dangerous intersections.

The scene after the train collision in West Java, Indonesia on 27/4. *Video: X/Global Report*

Traffic accidents are unfortunately common in Indonesia, where many vehicles, including buses, trains, and even planes, are often old and poorly maintained. This contributes to a high incidence of such incidents across the country.

Further highlighting the ongoing safety concerns, a collision involving two trains in West Java in 1/2024 killed four rail employees. Another significant incident occurred in 2015, when 16 people died after a train struck a mini-bus at a level crossing in Jakarta.

Pham Giang (According to AFP)