At least 20 killed in Indonesian train collision

At least 20 people were killed when a freight train and a bus carrying Muslim pilgrims collided in western Java, Indonesia.

At least 20 people were killed when a freight train and a bus carrying Muslim pilgrims collided in western Java, Indonesia.

Most of the dead were passengers seated in the rear of the bus where the impact happened.

Fourteen passengers were seriously injured in Sunday's accident at an unattended level crossing near the town of Serang, 60 miles west of Jakarta.

The rear of the bus was smashed and the vehicle overturned into a nearby rice field.

Police are questioning the bus driver and train officials.

Indonesia has had a string of fatal train crashes recently. Officials have blamed signal failures for most of the accidents.

A freight train collided with a passenger train in the same province a little more than a week ago, killing three people.

Last month, 42 people were killed when a passenger train crashed into a locomotive in the port city of Cirebon.

PA

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter