SUBANG, West Java: A brake malfunction is believed to have caused a deadly bus crash over the weekend in Java, Indonesia that killed 11 people – most of them students – and injured dozens more, local authorities said on Monday (May 13).
The bus was carrying 57 students and teachers of a high school back to the city of Depok after their graduation trip in Bandung when it crashed at Palasari Village, Ciater, in Subang Regency on Saturday evening (May 11).
According to the police, the bus suddenly swerved to the right while descending a slope and collided with an oncoming minibus. The vehicle then swerved violently to the left, causing it to skid and slam into three motorcycles.
The bus eventually came to a stop after crashing into a pole by the roadside.
While police are still investigating the cause of the accident, several police officials have said they suspect the bus’ brakes malfunctioned before the crash.
The brake malfunction could have caused the accident, said Mr Aznal, the head of legal affairs and public relations of the directorate general of land transportation.
Mr Aznal, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, revealed that the 18-year-old bus does not have a valid transport permit and its roadworthiness certificate has already expired.
“The bus is recorded to lack a transportation permit, and its vehicle roadworthiness tests (KIR) certificate has expired since December 6, 2023,” Mr Aznal said.
A regular KIR test is mandatory for public transportation vehicles and trucks in Indonesia to ensure road safety.
The bus driver survived the crash. Mr Sadira, who also goes by one name, also suspects the bus’ brakes were faulty.
Local media reported Mr Sadira as saying that right before the crash, he attempted to stop the bus at an intersection amid heavy traffic.
“At the intersection, there were a lot of comings and goings in the traffic. I tried to stop, applied the brakes but the gear did not work and suddenly the air was gone,” said Mr Sadira as interviewed by Kompas TV.
Mr Sadira said he panicked upon realising the brakes had failed. In a desperate attempt to find an escape route, he decided to swerve abruptly, causing the bus to overturn.
“Normally, there would be an escape route, but there wasn’t one there. In my mind, if I continued on the highway, many vehicles would have been hit, resulting in more casualties,” he added.
Mr Sadira claimed that the bus’ brakes had been repaired earlier by a mechanic during a stop at the rest area.
The 50-year-old driver repeatedly apologised to the victims and their families.
“I apologise wholeheartedly because no one wanted this to happen. It’s a tragedy,” he said.
