Coal train falls into Lake Singkarak

A train carrying coal from Sawahlunto to Padang, West Sumatra, ran out of its rail and fell into Lake Singkarak. The accident occurred in the village of Pasir Singkarak, about 15 kilometers from Solok. No fatalities were recorded although five cars fell into the lake.

The spokesman for state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Eksploitasi Sumatera Barat, Zulkifli Kiram, confirmed the accident. "Some of the cars ran out of the rail and fell down. Five of them fell into Lake Singkarak. But no fatalities."

The train's captain Ferizal, 35, and locomotive engineer Syamsuar, 40, survived the accident, that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, at about 2.30 p.m. The causes of the accident was still under investigation, he said.

"Because of the accident, at least 175 tons of coal could not be saved. For PT KAI Eksploitasi Sumatera Barat, this is a loss, because we will be claimed for the lost coal, not to mention other losses from the accident,"

Besides, the company would also lose opportunity revenue of transporting around 2,000 to 2,500 tons of coal per day because of the damage of around 100 meters of railway line.

PT KAI Eksploitasi Sumatra Barat is currently repairing the damaged rail line, and has recovered the falling cars into Lake Singkarak.

Around 80 to 100 cars plying the Sawahlunto-Padang railway route every day, with each car carrying up to 25 tons of coal. (*)