Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - The number of fatalities in the L-300 Van fire in Masangan village, Bungah sub-district, Gresik, East Java, on Friday has risen to three , a hospital spokesman said.

The third passenger who was found dead on Saturday was identified as Lailatul Hidayah (38) and the other two as Umi Maftuhatut Taslimah (21) and Siti Muqonilah Jamil (18) who died on Friday (May 20), said Dr Urip Mutedjo, public relations official of Dr Soetomo Hospital here on Saturday.

"Lailatul Hidayah underwent surgery for about seven hours. Almost all of her body was burned and doctors tried to save her," Urip Mutedjo said.

Lailatul was in sound condition prior to undergoing the operation, and had a talk with her relatives who was taking care of her in the hospital.

The accident occurred when a public transport tried to avoid a "traffic cone" placed on the road.

The fire presumably happened due to a gas tank leak and had affected the vehicle`s engine.

Meanwhile, Gresik police continue seeking Matasan,50, the public transportation driver who fled the scene after the accident.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011