Train collision on Sentolo rail line in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: no fatalities reported

INDONESIA: A train accident took place on the Sentolo rail line in Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta, this afternoon. The incident was reported at around 1:30 pm local time on Tuesday (17 Oct).

This unfortunate event involved two trains: the Argo Semeru and the Argo Wilis.

Nevo, a member of the Kulon Progo fire brigade, shared details when interviewed at the scene on Tuesday (17 Oct).

According to reports from passengers and Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) officers, the accident began when the Argo Semeru train, travelling from Surabaya to Jakarta, suddenly derailed.

Simultaneously, the Argo Wilis train, on its journey from Bandung to Surabaya, collided with the rear of the Argo Semeru carriage.

Nevo explained, “The Argo Semeru, en route from Surabaya to Jakarta, derailed, leading to the collision with the tail of the Argo Semeru by the Argo Wilis from Bandung to Surabaya.”

Fortunately, the latest information indicates that there were no fatalities in this incident, only injuries.

An X account shared a video showing the condition of the derailed Argo Semeru and its subsequent collision with the Argo Wilis train.

Ngeri juga ya lihat benda bergerak bertonase tinggi saling collision atau nyerempet kaya gini.

Ini kondisi Argo Semeru udah anjlok diserempet berjalan langsung KA Argo Wilis. pic.twitter.com/Axqvp2OLSc

— MMARK3 (@rxzkammr_) October 17, 2023

Meanwhile, anthocyanin, through his X account, described the sequence of events they experienced during the accident, including the initial shaking of the train and the eventual collision.

“I was sitting calmly when the train suddenly began to shake. At first, I assumed it was just the usual minor vibrations, as trains tend to sway a bit. However, it quickly became clear that something was amiss when glasses started falling. After a while, I heard a loud crash, and it seemed like the roof might collapse.”

The account went on to say, “Fortunately, my carriage remained upright. From the first executive carriage to the rear, the train had actually overturned. I’m relieved to report that I’m perfectly fine. Thank goodness I’m unharmed.”

Kereta Argo Semeru Kecelakaan di daerah Sentolo pic.twitter.com/OBdmiN41SY

— Anthocyanin (@ndysfm) October 17, 2023

The dhika.phex X account reported that passengers had started to be evacuated using the Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) train heading to Wates station.

Sudah mulai evakuasi ke stasiun wates pic.twitter.com/qXVuODTcjY

— dhika.phex (@dhikka_phex) October 17, 2023

The Indonesian Red Cross confirmed that there were no casualties

The Indonesian Red Cross of Kulon Progo Regency reported that while nine train passengers suffered light, moderate, and severe injuries, there were no fatalities.

One injured passenger was transported to the Wates Regional General Hospital for further treatment, while others received on-site medical attention.

Currently, eight carriages of the Argo Semeru train, bound for Bandung-Gubeng (Surabaya) from Yogyakarta, have derailed.

Meanwhile, hundreds of passengers from both trains have been evacuated to Wates Station while awaiting further instructions from PT Kereta Api Indonesia.

Kereta Api Indonesia’s official statement on the train incident

In a press release issued by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) via its official Twitter account on Tuesday (17 Oct), they apologized for the service disruption due to the derailment of Argo Semeru, the Surabaya Gubeng – Gambir connection, and Argo Wilis, connecting Bandung – Surabaya Gubeng.

“KAI is currently making efforts to evacuate passengers on the two trains that were involved in this incident,” said Raden Agus Dwinanto Budiadji, KAI Executive Vice President of Corporate Secretary.

The next step for KAI is to evacuate the passengers and repair the damaged rail lines.

Both rail lines between Wates and Sentolo are temporarily impassable due to the accident.

For train journeys passing through the Wates – Sentolo area, KAI will work on creating alternative operational patterns, including detours and temporary stoppages.

Siaran Pers
17 Oktober 2023

Kejadian Anjlokan KA Semeru dan KA Argo Wilis di Petak Jalan Sentolo – Wates

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) menyampaikan permohonan maaf atas terganggunya pelayanan, akibat peristiwa anjloknya KA 17 Argo Semeru relasi Surabaya Gubeng – Gambir…

— Kereta Api Indonesia (@KAI121) October 17, 2023