Indonesia, Jakarta, Bekasi: A tragic train accident in Indonesia’s capital claimed at least seven lives and left more than 81 passengers seriously injured on Tuesday morning in the Bekasi area.

According to initial reports, a stationary commuter train was struck from behind by a speeding express train. The impact caused severe damage, particularly to the last coach designated for women, which was completely shattered.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a taxi crossing at a level crossing may have triggered the sequence of events. Railway official Franotto Wibovo stated that the commuter train had halted on the tracks following an earlier collision, leaving it vulnerable to the oncoming express train.

All 240 passengers onboard were successfully rescued following the crash.

A survivor, Sousan Sarifa (29), who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, described the incident as happening “in the blink of an eye.” She said passengers were preparing to disembark at Bekasi Timur station when a sudden loud impact threw everyone into chaos. Many passengers were trapped under others, leading to suffocation risks. She survived as she was positioned above others during the crush.

Rescue operations are continuing at an intensive pace. Authorities confirmed that at least two individuals were found alive but trapped inside mangled coaches. Emergency responders, including Army personnel, disaster response teams, firefighters, and Red Cross units, are working tirelessly using specialized equipment to cut through debris and rescue victims.

Experts have pointed out that such accidents in Indonesia are often linked to maintenance gaps and safety lapses within the railway system.