The crash occurred around midday on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in North Musi Rawas regency of South Sumatra province, when an intercity bus carrying at least 20 people struck a tanker truck travelling in the opposite direction, said Mugono, a local disaster management agency official.
Mugono said preliminary findings indicate the bus, which was travelling from South Sumatra's Lubuklinggau city to Jambi, may have emitted sparks shortly before the collision. However, an oil tanker truck was approaching at high speed, leaving little time to avoid a direct impact.
"The forceful impact triggered a fire that engulfed both vehicles, leaving many victims trapped inside," Mugono said.Â
The dead included the bus driver and 13 passengers as well as the tanker's driver and assistant, Mugono said.
Four bus passengers survived the crash and were taken to a nearby health clinic, including three who suffered severe burn injuries and one who sustained minor injuries, Mugono said.
As the passenger manifest is still being traced, Mugono said authorities are continuing to collect data on the total number of fatalities.
Photos and videos released by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed firefighters battling the blaze while thick plumes of black smoke and orange flames rose into the air. On the ground were the charred remains of the bus and tanker truck, with twisted metal scattered across the highway.
Road accidents are common in Indonesia due to poor safety standards and infrastructure.
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