The bus was travelling from Lubuklinggau, the tanker coming the other way. They met head-on on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, on the Trans-Sumatra Highway at Karang Jaya, a stretch of North Musi Rawas regency in South Sumatra, and the crash killed 16 people.
Fourteen of the dead were passengers on the ALS bus. The other two were the driver of the oil tanker truck, owned by PT Seleraya, and a passenger aboard it. Three people survived with severe burns and one with minor injuries, and the collision set off an explosion that engulfed both vehicles.
Police say the driver, known only by the initial A, was trying to avoid a pothole when he veered into the oncoming lane, and the tanker was too close to stop. “The heavy impact caused a massive explosion that engulfed both vehicles,” said Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, who handles public relations for the South Sumatra police.
“In addition to the fatalities, three individuals sustained severe burns and one suffered minor injuries. The estimated material loss is approximately Rp500 million,” Nandang said.
Rescuers took the victims first to Siti Aisyah Lubuklinggau Hospital, then to Bhayangkara Mohammad Hoesin Hospital in Palembang for identification. A police Disaster Victim Identification team was still processing 16 body bags there, while the three badly burned survivors stayed under care at Muara Rupit Regional Hospital.
At the scene, investigators found a gas cylinder, some chairs, a wooden bed and a motorized machine tool, plus scattered Bali oranges and a pair of motorcycles. Police are now examining whether potholes on the road triggered the crash. “The condition of the road will be thoroughly investigated alongside relevant authorities. Road user safety must be a collective concern,” Nandang added.
Sources
- Bus and Tanker Collision in Sumatra Kills 16 People – News En.tempo.co
- 16 Killed in Bus–Tanker Truck Collision on Sumatra Highway
