Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has conveyed his deepest sympathies for the victims of Monday's deadly commuter train crash, which took place in Bintaro on the southwestern outskirts of Jakarta. "We grieve for the tragedy that took place on the commuter train in Bintaro. Hopefully, the families of the victims are given fortitude," wrote the President on his Twitter account @SBYudhoyono on Tuesday. The head of state said he had instructed Transportation Minister Evert E Mangindaan to provide the necessary assistance to the victims at the hospital. "I am still waiting for the results of the investigation conducted into the accident by the National Committee for Transportation Safety (KNKT). This will be a lesson for us to avoid similar accidents from recurring in the future," the President noted. At least seven people died and another 72 were injured in the crash involving the commuter train and a fuel truck near the Bintaro Permai area's railway crossing in the Tangerang district at 11:15 a.m. on Monday. The front wagon of the commuter train, which was travelling from Serpong in Tangerang district to Tanah Abang in Jakarta, derailed and caught fire soon after hitting the fuel truck. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta, while the injured were rushed to the Fatmawati, Suyoto and Premier Bintaro hospitals. Meanwhile, the Head of the state railway company's operation region 1, Isnadi, said on Monday that the fuel truck driver was to be blamed for the crash. "The fuel truck driver did not comply with the rules. He rammed through the crossing's bars," Isnadi said, adding that the siren had been sounded about five to seven minutes before the train reached the crossing. "The train left the railway station five to seven minutes before reaching the crossing. The train was moving at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour," he noted. (*)
President Sympathizes with Train Crash Victims
Selasa, 10 Desember 2013 16:22 WIB