The NTSC Calls The Waved Rail The Cause Of Argo Semeru's Train In Wates

Argo Semeru and Argo Wilis train accidents in Kalimenur, Kulonprogo, DI Yogyakarta, Tuesday (17/10/2023). (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) revealed the cause of the Argo Semeru Railway (KA) accident in a cross-section between Sentolo-Wates Station KM 520+4 on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

KNKT Railway Accident Investment Investigator, Riduan Akbar said, the drop in the Agro Semeru train was caused by the wavy train tracks.

"KNKT concluded based on findings in the field that the factors contributing to the Accident incident were due to failure to identify hazards that could increase the risk of rail stacking by rail and bridge units," he said at a press conference at the KNKT office, Jakarta, Friday, February 16.

In addition, he said, there are differences in knowledge and understanding within rail and bridge road organizations in determining the gap between rails on the rail line.

"There is no lowering of the train operational speed limit when conditions for rail road geometry problems are found and improvements are being made," he explained.

Based on the results of the investigation, said Riduan, before the Argo Semeru train plummeted, the 571A PLB train had crossed the route and felt a strong wobble.

"The information on the strong shaking was then reported to the Control Center and the Control Center forwarding this information to the Head of the UPT Resort of Jalan Rel 6.3 Wates," he said.

In fact, said Riduan, information on the existence of a strong wobble was conveyed by ole Central Control to KA 17 driver Argo Semeru who was at Yogyakarta station.

At 13.03 WIB, continued Riduan, the 17 train driver again received information from the Control Center that there was a strong wobble on the Km 520+4 hili route where the lane could be passed at normal speed but was advised to be careful.

"At 13.15 WIB, KA 17 experienced a fall on the downstream route Km 520+4 plot of Sentolo-Wates road, in the opposite direction, there was KA 6 Argo Wilis who was passing on the upstream route to Sentolo Station," he explained.

As a result, said Riduan, the Argo Wilis 6 train crashed into KA 17 Argo Semeru which had fallen on the downstream route Km 520+4 plots of Sentolo-Wates Street.