A tragic bus accident in Indonesia's West Java province has left at least 11 people dead, mostly students, and dozens more injured. The incident occurred when a bus carrying 61 students and teachers from a high school in Depok was returning from a graduation celebration in Bandung.
According to West Java police spokesperson, the bus experienced brake failure while traveling on a downhill road, causing it to lose control and collide with several cars and motorbikes before crashing into an electricity pole. The impact of the crash resulted in the deaths of nine individuals at the scene, with two others succumbing to their injuries later in the hospital.
Among the casualties were a teacher and a local motorist, while 53 others were hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries, some of whom are in critical condition. The authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident, with initial findings pointing towards a malfunction in the bus's braking system.
Incidents of road accidents are unfortunately common in Indonesia, often attributed to poor safety standards and infrastructure. In recent years, similar tragedies have occurred, such as a tourist bus crash in East Java last year that claimed the lives of 14 individuals and injured 19 others.
In another incident in 2021, a tourist bus in the West Java resort of Puncak plunged into a ravine after its brakes failed, resulting in the deaths of 27 people and injuries to 39 others. These incidents highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures and stricter enforcement of regulations to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
