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Police look into alleged land-clearing smoke in fatal pile-up
The Central Java Police are investigating a slash-and-burn that created thick smoke, allegedly causing a pile-up collision involving 13 vehicles, killing one and injuring 18 others on a toll road in Brebes on Sunday afternoon.
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Traffic congestion seen toward the Pejagan toll road exit in Central Java on July 4. (Antara/Rosa Panggabean)
T
he Central Java Police are investigating a slash-and-burn that created thick smoke, allegedly causing a pile-up collision involving 13 vehicles killing one and injuring 18 others on a toll road in Brebes on Sunday afternoon.
Brebes Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Faisal Febrianto said on Monday that the accident began when a Toyota SUV driver suddenly braked after having difficulty seeing the Pejagan-Pemalang Toll road due to thick smoke at kilometer 253.
The drivers for other vehicles – predicted to be driving at 70 to 80 km per hour – were not able to respond in time. One of the drivers was killed in the accident.
“We have summoned the toll road operator and owners of the land around the toll road patch,” Faisal said.
According to Faisal, the toll road operator and the highway patrol have held routine patrols, but due to the toll road length of 57.5 km, the smoke was not detected before the accident happened.
Separately, Central Java Police head of traffic directorate Sr. Comr. Agus Suryo Nugroho said the police are calling all toll road companies and state-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga to meet and discuss preventive measures for the future.
“We’re calling for not only the management of the toll road, but also the surrounding environment. Let’s not have any more rice straw burning which can created thick smoke, disrupting the toll road traffic,” Agus said
Djoko Setijowarno, a transportation expert from Semarang-based Soegijapranata Catholic University said that the provincial administration should find a solution for farmers on how to clear their land safely.
“The Agriculture Ministry should be involved. This slash-and-burn practice has been done for a long time. The government needs to give guidance and solutions to the farmers,” he said. (dre)
