"The crossing gate malfunctioned," she said, adding that the malfunctioning gate had enabled cars and trucks to freely cross the road without being aware of the trains approach.
The front wagon of the commuter train, heading to Jakarta from the Tangerang Province, had derailed and caught fire after it hit a fuel truck on Monday at 11:15 a.m.
A witness, Fransiska Ninditya, said that the fire was followed by a thick black smoke, which took place soon after the train had hit the fuel truck near Bintaro. The wagon was mostly occupied by female passengers.
"The passengers are still panicking. I too have a headache from inhaling the thick smoke," Fransiska stated.
Fransiska added that the firemen were still trying to extinguish the fire. Some medical personnel were also present at the location to help evacuate the injured passengers. No casualties have been reported so far.
Reporting by Anom Prihantoro
Translating and Editing by Amie Fenia Arimbi
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
