TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A deadly accident occurred on Sumatra's National Road in the Karang Jaya area of North Musi Rawas on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m. The incident involved an Inter-Provincial Bus (ALS) and an oil tanker truck traveling in the opposite direction. The impact triggered a powerful explosion and a fire that engulfed both vehicles.
The Head of Public Relations for the South Sumatra Regional Police, Commissioner General Nandang Mu'min Wijaya, confirmed that a total of 16 individuals lost their lives in the tragedy. Among the deceased were 14 passengers of the ALS bus, while the remaining two victims were the truck driver and a passenger.
"In addition to the fatalities, three individuals sustained severe burns and one suffered minor injuries. The estimated material loss is approximately Rp500 million," Nandang stated.
He explained that the collision began as the ALS bus, bearing license plate BK-7778-DL, was traveling from Lubuklinggau toward Rupit. Simultaneously, an oil tanker truck owned by PT Seleraya was approaching from the opposite direction.
Initial investigations suggest that the bus driver, identified by the initial A, was attempting to avoid a pothole and veered into the right lane. At that moment, the tanker truck, driven by an individual identified as Y, was approaching, resulting in an unavoidable head-on collision.
Nandang noted, "The heavy impact caused a massive explosion that engulfed both vehicles."
Authorities initially evacuated all victims to the Siti Aisyah Lubuklinggau Hospital before transferring them to the Bhayangkara Mohammad Hoesin Palembang Hospital for forensic identification. To date, the National Police's Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team continues to process the 16 body bags.
The DVI operation is centered at the Bhayangkara Mohammad Hoesin Hospital. The Head of DVI at the National Police Medical and Health Center (Pusdokkes), Commissioner General Doctor Wahyu Hidajati, is leading the team alongside several forensic experts and DNA laboratory specialists.
Nandang expressed his condolences regarding the tragedy and assured that all available resources have been mobilized to support the victims. He said, "Our entire task force is working to ensure the victims are identified, and their families receive certainty as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, the three victims with severe burns remain under intensive care at the Muara Rupit Regional Hospital. Police have also questioned a bus attendant who escaped with minor injuries.
During the crime scene investigation, officials discovered several items of interest, including a gas cylinder, chairs, a wooden bed, a motorized machine tool, scattered Bali oranges, and two motorcycles. One motorcycle was located inside the bus cabin, while the other was presumably thrown from the luggage area by the force of the impact and subsequent explosion.
These findings suggest the presence of carry-on items that exceed standard provisions for public passenger transport, which has now become a focus of the inquiry. Police are also probing road conditions at the site, specifically the presence of potholes as a potential trigger for the crash.
"The condition of the road will be thoroughly investigated alongside relevant authorities. Road user safety must be a collective concern," Nandang added.
The South Sumatra Regional Police are urging individuals who may have lost family members traveling the ALS bus route to immediately contact the DVI Post at Bhayangkara Mohammad Hoesin Hospital at +62 821-7803-8910 or visit the facility directly.
As of today, the police investigation remains ongoing. Investigators continue to process the crime scene, interview witnesses, and analyze the technical aspects of both vehicles to determine the definitive cause of the accident.
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