Police say at least 10 people, including seven children, were killed in Bekasi, West Java after a truck crashed into a telecommunications tower and toppled the structure in a busy area.
A freighter truck with suspected brake failure smashed into the tower, which – as dangerous as it sounds – stood in front of an elementary school on Sultan Agung Road, at around 10am today. The tower fell across the width of the road, landing on a van, whose driver was reportedly among those killed.
Witnesses say the incident occurred during school recess, which may explain the high fatality count among children. According to the police, at least 20 people were injured, many of whom are schoolchildren.
The driver survived the crash and is now in police custody. Police have not yet determined the cause of the crash, but early signs suggest that the truck experienced brake failure.
Just last month, 10 people were killed after a Pertamina fuel truck crashed into multiple cars and motorcycles at a red light in Bekasi. The driver also said then that his brake malfunctioned.
Similar incidents occur with alarming frequency in Indonesia, calling into question whether or not heavy vehicles are sufficiently held to safety standards.
