16 Dead After Bus Slams into Guardrail and Flips on Highway

A late-night bus ride through Central Java turned deadly when a passenger coach barreling down a toll road lost control and overturned, killing at least 16 people and leaving dozens more injured.

The crash occurred just after midnight Monday in Semarang, about 270 miles east of Jakarta. The bus, carrying 34 passengers from the capital to Yogyakarta, struck a concrete guardrail before flipping onto its side, according to local officials.

“The bus was speeding and is thought to have lost control, hitting the road divider and eventually overturning,” said Budiono, a search and rescue officer on site. “The forceful impact threw several passengers and left them trapped against the bus body.”

Fifteen passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, and another died later at a hospital, authorities said. Eighteen others were hospitalized — five in critical condition and 13 with serious injuries.

Photos from the scene showed emergency workers carrying victims away from the wreckage as the yellow bus lay crumpled on its side under floodlights. Personal belongings, including bags and shoes, were scattered across the asphalt.

Police are investigating whether the driver, who survived with serious injuries, may have been fatigued or under the influence. “We are questioning the injured substitute driver and will conduct toxicology tests,” Central Java Police Chief Ribut Hari Wibowo confirmed.

Indonesia has long struggled with deadly bus accidents, often blamed on reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance, and lack of enforcement. Just last month, another crash in West Sumatra left 15 people dead after a bus plunged off a cliff.

“We see this far too often,” said transportation safety analyst Ahmad Yusuf, who called for stricter rest-hour regulations for long-haul drivers. “These tragedies keep repeating because safety standards are treated as optional.”

Rescue teams worked through the night to extract victims from the mangled frame using cutting tools and stretchers. By dawn, all survivors had been transported to nearby hospitals.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased.

Source: Associated Press, Jakarta Post, Pos Kota, local rescue agency statements.