In a tragic incident that unfolded late Monday near Jakarta, two trains collided at Bekasi Timur station, approximately 25 kilometers from the city center.

The collision led to the deaths of at least four individuals and caused numerous injuries, prompting a significant evacuation effort.

According to Anne Purba, a spokesperson for the state-owned KAI rail company, over 30 people were hospitalized following the accident.

Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the deputy house speaker, warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continued, noting the ongoing evacuation process.

The collision involved a long-distance train and a commuter train, with the latter experiencing significant damage.

A taxi had reportedly clipped the commuter train at a level crossing, causing it to become immobilized on the tracks.

Subsequently, it was struck by the long-distance train, leading to the entrapment of passengers within the damaged carriages.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the military, fire brigade, national search and rescue agency, and Red Cross, worked diligently to free those trapped.

All 240 passengers on the long-distance train were safely evacuated, marking a contrasting outcome compared to the commuter train.

This incident recalls a similar tragedy in January 2024, where four crew members lost their lives, and over two dozen people were injured in a separate train crash in West Java province.

Transport accidents are not infrequent in Indonesia, attributed partly to the country's vast geography and the age and maintenance conditions of public transportation vehicles.

Notably, a 2015 incident involving a commuter train collision with a minibus at a level crossing resulted in sixteen fatalities.