by Mathias Hariyadi

A bus carrying members of the Bethel Church, returning from a retreat in Puncak Pass, crashed for reasons yet to be determined. Rescue workers continue to bring out passengers wedged in the wrecked bus. On social networks, Indonesian Christians express solidarity and offer prayers.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A serious road accident hit the Indonesian Christian community today. A  bus carrying dozens of members of the Bethel Church (GBI) went off the road this morning, killing 18 people and wounding more than 35, some of them seriously.

The bus was on its way back from a popular tourist destination in Puncak (Peak) Pass, travelling on the main road to Kelapa Gading, a neighbourhood in North Jakarta, where the victims lived.

According to preliminary reports, the bus left the mountainous area of ​​Puncak Pass at dawn after Church members completed their spiritual retreat.

For reasons yet to be determined, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which skidded on the edge of the road, overturned and ended up in a deep slope (pictured).

The crash occurred in Cisarua, not far from Puncak Pass, causing deep sorrow and dismay in the Catholic communities in the capital, who rallied around the victims and their families.

Police and rescue teams are still recovering bodies and bringing out the injured trapped in the metal, taking them to a nearby hospital, the first for identification by relatives, the second for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, a great outpouring of solidarity and affection for those affected by the tragedy has swept social media.

The group of pilgrims had left their parish church in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Sunday after Mass for a three-day spiritual retreat.

"Members of other local Christian communities had joined the event," said Yanti, a member of the GBI Church.

• indonesia
• kelapa
• gading
• north
• jakarta
• bus
• accident
• gbi
• church