Suara.com – The tragic collision between the Turangga train (KA) connecting Surabaya – Bandung and the local Padalarang – Cicalengka train on Friday (5/1/2024) reminds us of the 1987 Bintaro Tragedy. This tragedy is the darkest record in the history of Indonesian railways. For those who are not familiar with the Bintaro Tragedy of 19 October 1987, here is the explanation.
Similar to the Turangga train tragedy, the Bintaro tragedy was a collision between trains KA 220 Patas Merak and KA 225 in Pondok Betung, Bintaro. The two trains were destroyed by a violent collision 34 years ago. Both cross the same rail from opposite directions. The collision was inevitable at around 07.00 WIB. The accident resulted in the destruction of the locomotive and first carriage on both trains.
It is known that KA 220, the Tanah Abang-Merak connection, departs from Kebayoran Station to Sudimara Station. This shocked Sudimara Station officials because the three train lines were already occupied. The Sudimara Station Train Travel Leader (PPKA) then requested a train crossing at Kebayoran Station. However, there was a change in PPKA officers at Kebayoran Station who were not aware of the plan.
After finding out too late about the train crossing plan, officers then tried to clear one of the trains in Sudimara for KA 220 by taking emergency steps, namely moving the train 225 from train 3 to train 1.
Unfortunately, this effort did not reach the ears of KA 225 driver Slamet Suradyo. The officer also gave a trumpet signal and moved both hands as a signal for the train to stop. However, Slamet did not see the signal and continued driving until finally KA 225 which Slamet was driving collided with KA 220 in a bullfighting position and claimed the lives of hundreds of train passengers.
Claimed the Lives of Hundreds of Passengers
The 1987 Bintaro tragedy occurred when the railway transformation had not yet been implemented. The accident killed 156 passengers. Meanwhile, 300 other passengers were injured.
At that time, passengers were still allowed to climb on the roof of the train or fill the train carriage until it was crowded. KA 220 Tanah Abang – Merak at that time carried 478 passengers and was recorded as still at normal capacity so that passengers could sit in their respective seats. However, this number is a record of passengers who bought or brought tickets. There is no more detailed data regarding illegal passengers or those riding on train roofs without tickets.
Officer negligence was the cause of the Bintaro tragedy. The officers, including the driver and conductor, who survived this unfortunate incident received strict sanctions. In fact, in the news circulating on October 21 1987, 15 Railway Service Company station officers received intensive examination.
Meanwhile, PPKA Sudimara is a suspect because it approved the train crossing from Sudimara to Kebayoran without approval from PPKA Kebayoran. However, PPKA Kebayoran also received sanctions because it did not coordinate in more detail with Sudimara.
Contributor: Nadia Lutfiana Mawarni