E

leven people died, while three others are in critical condition, after a train slammed into a minibus on Sunday morning at an unguarded train crossing in Tasikmalaya mayoralty, West Java.

The accident took place at around 9:30 a.m. on Jl. Basir Surya in Purbaratu district. The crossing is not guarded by workers from state train operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia’s Operational Region (Daop) 2.

“The accident was between the Pasundan economy train from Bandung to Surabaya and a Suzuki Carry minibus,” West Java Police chief spokesman Sr. Comr. Martinus Sitompul said over the phone.

“Seven people died on the scene while four others died while being treated at Tasikmalaya City General Hospital.”

He said the train left Tasikmalaya Station at 9:28 a.m. with Zulkifli as the train machinist. The collision took place at KM 273+7/8 when the minibus carrying 14 members of a family crossed the railway.

The driver reportedly ignored the train’s horn and flashing lights, making the collision unavoidable.

Vehicles disregarding railroad crossing warnings are a major cause of accidents.

Daops 2 spokesman, Bambang Setya Prayitno, admitted the crossing was not guarded by the train operator’s employees.

“The crossing is guarded by local residents. The crossing is an access road to state senior high school SMA 3 Tasikmalaya and [state explosive maker] PT Dahana,” he said.

“Although it was not guarded, there are already traffic signs warning motorists before the railroad crossing.”

He said the minibus’ engine suddenly stalled while crossing the railway and the vehicle could not reverse because there was another car behind it.

“PT Kereta Api is concerned and conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” Bambang said.

“We hope the public would be more careful when crossing railways, both guarded, and especially unguarded ones. It is better for the public not to rush when approaching the railroad crossings, as they are prone to accidents.”

Bambang also expected the central and regional governments to phase out level railroad crossings and replace them with constructing either fly overs or underpasses.

He said the move would be in line with the Law No. 23/2007 on Railways and Law No. 22/2009 on Road Transport and Highways.

According to Bambang, Daop 2 oversees 698 level crossings with 617 guarded crossings, both by the company or the local residents, while the remaining 81 crossings are illegal.