A passenger bus crash on a toll road in Central Java, Indonesia, killed 16 people and injured dozens of others early on December 22, 2025.
The bus, operated by Cahaya Trans and bearing license plate B 7201 IV, overturned on the Krapyak Toll Road in Semarang, Central Java, at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time. The vehicle was traveling from Jatiasih, Bekasi, to Yogyakarta when it lost control on a downhill curve.
The bus was traveling at high speed when the driver lost control, striking a concrete barrier before rolling onto its side. The forceful impact threw several passengers and left them trapped against the bus body.
Rescue teams arrived approximately 40 minutes after the accident occurred. The evacuation process proved challenging for emergency responders who had to extract victims from the overturned vehicle carefully. The operation concluded at 4 a.m.
Six passengers died at the scene of the crash. Another 10 people died while being transported to hospitals or during treatment. The bus was carrying either 33 or 34 passengers, according to varying reports.
Eighteen people sustained injuries in the crash, with five in critical condition and 13 in serious condition. The injured were transported to multiple medical facilities, including Dr. Kariadi Central General Hospital and Columbia Asia Hospital.
“We are still investigating the cause of the crash and questioning the injured substitute driver,” Central Java Police Chief Ribut Hari Wibowo said.
The driver of the bus, 22-year-old Gilang Insan F, was identified as a substitute driver who had only driven the bus twice in the past two months. Police named him as a suspect on December 26, 2025.
Semarang Police Chief M. Syahduddi announced that the driver’s status was that of a suspect. The driver was charged with negligence in driving that causes injury or death to passengers.
During questioning, the driver told authorities he was traveling at high speed. He lost control when the vehicle entered a downhill curve and attempted to correct the steering, but the bus struck a road barrier on the right side of the highway, causing it to overturn.
Budiono, head of the Semarang Search and Rescue Office, led search and rescue operations. The team worked together to evacuate all victims from the damaged vehicle.
“We would like to thank all parties for their cooperation, which allowed for a smooth evacuation,” Budiono said.
A subsequent inspection revealed serious safety concerns. A ramp check found the Cahaya Trans bus to be unroadworthy.
The accident prompted a swift response from government officials. Minister Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono announced that the government would conduct a regulatory evaluation following the crash.
Yudhoyono ordered a thorough investigation to objectively determine the cause of the accident and ensure corrective recommendations are implemented. The investigation aims to address compliance with safety regulations, including periodic vehicle roadworthiness inspections and driver readiness.
The minister emphasized that accident prevention requires discipline, consistent law enforcement, and layered supervision. He stressed that all vehicles must undergo proper inspections and drivers must be fit for duty.
The Krapyak Toll Road crash highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Indonesia, where traffic accidents remain a significant public safety issue. The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of transportation regulations and improved oversight of bus operators on the country’s busy toll road system.
Budiono urged road travelers to remain vigilant while driving, take breaks when fatigued, and maintain safe distances between vehicles to reduce accident risk. The search and rescue chief emphasized the importance of these precautions, particularly on Indonesia’s heavily trafficked toll roads during peak travel periods.
