Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Signal and Communication Faults Blamed for Indonesia Train Collision
A commuter train and a long-distance train crashed near Jakarta on April 27.
The crash happened in Bekasi, Indonesia.
Sixteen people died and 107 were injured.
Investigators said the main problems involved train signals and communication.
The long-distance train received a green signal but did not get a yellow warning before a red signal.
The commuter train had first stopped after hitting an electric taxi at a crossing.
It took more than three minutes for the control centre to clearly learn about that incident.
Investigators also said the long-distance train driver had not been trained for emergency braking.
Bright surrounding lights and damaged windshields made the signals harder to see.
Indonesian investigators identified signaling and communication problems as the main causes of the April 27 collision near Jakarta.
The collision between a commuter train and a long-distance train in Bekasi killed 16 people and injured 107.
A signaling fault between Bekasi and Bekasi Timur stations showed a green departure signal without an additional warning to slow down.
The long-distance train driver did not receive a yellow warning that the next signal was red.
Investigators also cited delayed, unclear communication, insufficient emergency-braking training, poor signal visibility, and damaged windshields.
- Who
- A commuter train, a long-distance train, their drivers, railway control staff, and Indonesian investigators were involved.
- What
- A train collision killed 16 people and injured 107; investigators attributed it mainly to signaling and communication failures.
- When
- The collision occurred on April 27; the investigators’ report was reported on September 28, though its initial release date was unclear.
- Where
- The collision occurred in Bekasi, just outside Jakarta, between Bekasi and Bekasi Timur stations.
- Why
- Investigators cited a signaling fault, delayed and unclear communication, inadequate emergency-braking training, poor signal visibility, and damaged windshields.
- Deaths
- 16 people
- Injuries
- 107 people
- Incident date
- April 27
- Location
- Bekasi, just outside Jakarta
- Primary reported cause
- Signal and communication problems
- Communication delay
- Three minutes and 20 seconds before the control centre received information about the taxi incident
- Additional contributing issues
- Lack of emergency-braking training, light pollution, and damaged windshields