Global General

At least 46 killed in Indonesia's train crashes

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-02 17:17

JAKARTA - At least 46 people were killed and 41 others seriously injured in two train accidents in Central Java of Indonesia on Saturday, officials said.

Police and residents search for victims after two trains collided in Pemalang of the Indonesia's central Java province Oct 2, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Forty five out of 46 casualties were evacuated in the incident that Train Argo Bromo Anggrek collided with train Senja Jaya at about 03:00 am local time on Saturday in Petarukan town of Pemalang district, Press Officer Elya Ningrum at DR Azhari General Hospital in Pemalang district told Xinhua by phone.

All the fatality was gathered at the hospital, she said.

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The collision caused serious injuries to another 41 people and they were being treated at three hospitals, officials said.

Another death toll occurred in a separate train collision between Train Bima and Train Jasa Baru in Solo of Central Java on Saturday, officials said.

Rindang Krisnoputro, rescuer at Search and Rescue Office in West Java, told Xinhua by phone that the train collision in Petarukan town was caused by the violation of schedules by Train Argo Bromo.

"Argo Bromo violated rule," said Krisnoputro.

Three railway coaches derailed after the collision, he said.

The number of victims was expected to rise as rescuers still could not evacuate passengers being trapped in a carriage, he said.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed concern over the accident and asked investigation against the accidents and to impose a legal process against those linked with the accidents, Presidential Spokesman Julian Aldrian pasha said.

Indonesian Health Minister Endang Rahayu Setyaningsih visited Central Java to see the condition of the victims and the ministry has sent a team of surgeons from nearby district to help treating those injured, head of crisis center of the ministry Mujiharto told Xinhua by phone.