5 killed, 15 injured in train-bus collision in Indonesia

JAKARTA -- Five people were killed and 15 others were injured in a train-bus accident on Sunday in Indonesia, an official said.

The accident occurred at a crossing in East Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatra province at around 13:10 pm (GMT 0610) local time, according to Azhar Zaki Assjari, public relations manager of PT KAI Divre IV Tanjung Karang.

"One person died at the scene, four people died during the evacuation process to the hospital, and 15 others were injured," said Assjari in a written statement.

"At the time of the incident, the train driver sounded the horn repeatedly, but was not heeded by the bus driver, so collision could not be avoided," he continued.

He added that before the collision, the train driver had tried to stop the train. However, due to the close distance, the train severely crashed into the bus and dragged the bus for about 50 meters.

Muhammad Triyono, coordinator of the rescuers involved in the evacuation operation, told Xinhua that all the victims had been rushed to the nearby hospitals.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.