Indonesia toll road tragedy: 12 lives lost as Minister urges caution for Eid travel

INDONESIA: A tragic incident unfolded on the Jakarta-Cikampek Kilometer 58 toll road on Monday morning (8 April), claiming the lives of 12 individuals.

The accident, which involved three vehicles—a Daihatsu Grand Max, a Daihatsu Terios, and a Prima Jasa Bus—sent shockwaves through the commuting community.

The tragic sequence of events leading to the catastrophe began when the Grand Max car veered into the opposing lane, destined from Cikampek to Jakarta, after navigating the contraflow lane from Jakarta to Cikampek on the toll road.

In the devastating collision, the Grand Max collided with the Prima Jasa bus, setting off a chain reaction of chaos.

As the Terios attempted to manoeuvre around the wreckage, it inadvertently struck one of the already compromised vehicles, exacerbating the situation.

The impact ignited fires in two of the vehicles, adding to the intensity of the scene.

The aftermath of the collision left a grim tableau—scorched vehicles, damaged infrastructure, and loss of life.

Video footage captured by a passing vehicle’s dashcam provided a chilling glimpse into the harrowing event.

Kecelakaan melibatkan sebuah Grandmax dengan bus antarkota dan mobil SUV di ruas Jalan Tol Jakarta-Cikampek.
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Kecelakaan lalu lintas terjadi di KM 58 Tol Cikampek arah Jakarta pada Senin 8 April 2024 pagi. Kecelakaan yang melibatkan Daihatsu Gran Max dan bus antarkota itu… pic.twitter.com/yS4kVZfMzk

— Pikiran Rakyat (@pikiran_rakyat) April 8, 2024

The repercussions of the accident rippled beyond the immediate scene, causing a four-kilometre traffic jam along the route from Jakarta to Cikampek.

Authorities swiftly responded to the crisis, with the Karawang Resort Police and the Republic of Indonesia Police Traffic Corps rushing to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, emergency services, including the fire brigade and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), mobilized to provide assistance and evacuate victims.

Minister urges caution as eid travel tragedy claims 12 lives

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhajir Effendy has reiterated his call for travellers to adhere to driving regulations as they embark on their Eid homecoming journey in 2024.

Emphasizing the importance of proper preparation before setting off, Muhadjir urged against overloading vehicles with passengers during his visit to the Karawang Regional General Hospital and the accident site on the Jakarta-Cikampek KM 58 toll road, on Monday (8 April).

In addition to ensuring the vehicle’s condition and passenger load are within safe limits, Muhadjir stressed the necessity for drivers to be physically fit and fully focused on the task of driving.

He also advised travellers to have a backup driver in place to combat driver fatigue during the journey.

Addressing the recent accident involving two minibuses and one intercity bus on the Jakarta-Cikampek KM 58 toll road, Muhadjir confirmed that the tragic incident resulted in the loss of 12 lives aboard the Daihatsu Grand Max car.

He further mentioned that the victims’ identities were still being confirmed, urging families of the deceased to report to local homecoming posts.

“There’s no need for specific requirements, just report at the local command post. Later, the authorities will verify the information. The more people report, the faster we can resolve it,” Muhadjir stated, highlighting the importance of swift and comprehensive action in response to such incidents.