A passenger bus and a fuel tanker collided head-on in South Sumatra on Wednesday, killing 16 people after the crash triggered a massive explosion and fire, local officials said.
The accident occurred around midday in North Musi Rawas Regency when the bus, carrying many passengers, allegedly suffered a tyre blowout, veered into the opposite lane and hit the tanker, which was loaded with diesel. The impact caused a fierce explosion, engulfing both vehicles in flames.
Disaster agency official Hasbi Hasidqi said the dead included 14 bus passengers and two tanker crew members. The fire spread rapidly, trapping most victims inside the vehicles with no chance to escape.
Four survivors were taken to hospital, with three suffering severe burns and in critical condition. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Indonesia has a poor road safety record due to ageing infrastructure and poor vehicle maintenance. Recent major accidents include a train collision in West Java in April that killed 16 people, and a train-car crash in Central Java that claimed four lives.
