Argo Bromo Anggrek Train Involved in Another Fatal Crash
Grobogan, Central Java. Indonesia’s flagship intercity train Argo Bromo Anggrek has been involved in another fatal accident, after it struck a minibus carrying relatives of prospective hajj pilgrims at an unguarded level crossing in Grobogan, killing five people.
The crash occurred at around 2:52 a.m. on Friday in Tuko village, Pulokulon district, when the vehicle was crossing the tracks at a level crossing without barriers. Police said thick fog blanketed the area at the time, reducing visibility to around 10 meters and likely preventing the driver from noticing the oncoming train traveling from west to east.
The death toll rose to five later that night after one of the injured victims, Indah Setyowati, succumbed to her injuries at 10:33 p.m. She had initially been treated at a regional hospital in Purwodadi before being referred to a hospital in Semarang due to the severity of her condition.
Four other passengers were pronounced dead at the scene when the train slammed into the minibus in the early hours of the morning.
Local officials said most of the victims were members of the same family. Ahmad Kamndani, a community official from Kemloko village, said the victims included a father, mother, child, and grandchild, while another victim was the child of the minibus driver.
Family members said Indah had been in critical condition since being admitted to the hospital. Despite intensive medical treatment, her condition continued to deteriorate until her death.
The victims were part of a group escorting prospective hajj pilgrims at the time of the accident.
The latest crash comes just days after another deadly accident involving the same train. Earlier this week, the Argo Bromo Anggrek was involved in a collision with a commuter line train near East Bekasi Station in West Java, leaving 16 people dead.
Preliminary findings into the Bekasi incident indicated the accident was triggered by a series of events at a level crossing, where a taxi collided with a Jakarta-bound commuter train, forcing it to stop on the tracks. Another train heading toward Cikampek also halted nearby before the Argo Bromo Anggrek, traveling on the same line, struck it from behind.
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