"We are not looking for a scapegoat, but these are the facts from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) release that we received," he informed at a press conference on Thursday.
He added that in the report, the minibus driver was indicated to be tired and the vehicle was said to be overloaded.
Based on the KNKT's investigation, the driver had earlier made a four-day round trip from Ciamis to Central Java.
"The minibus capacity is only for eight to nine people. But during the accident, it brought 12 people. This is not safe," Sumadi said.
The minister hopes that the findings will be a lesson for the public in choosing their transportation safely.
He then urged homecomers to carefully pick official land transportation and providers during the return flow, such as the Damri Bus or the Intercity Interprovincial Bus (AKAP) and official travel agents who have passed the roadworthiness test at terminals.
"Please also ensure that the number of passengers is reasonable and does not exceed capacity," he said.
People are being encouraged to report any suspected unauthorized land transportation providers to the local Transportation Service or Traffic Police for further action.
The accident on KM 58 of the Jakarta-Cikampek Toll Road in Karawang district, West Java, on April 8, 2024, involved three vehicles — the Gran Max minivan, a Primajasa bus, and a Daihatsu Terios car. The Gran Max and Terios were burnt in the accident.
All 12 passengers on board the Gran Max — seven men and five women — were killed. There were no victims in the Terios car, while two passengers on the Primajasa bus were injured.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
