18 mourners killed in Indonesia road collision

SURABAYA, Indonesia  — An overcrowded pickup van with dozens of mourners slammed into a truck on Indonesia’s main island of Java, killing at least 18 people and injuring 14 others, police said Sunday.

The pickup was carrying a group of 29 mourners from East Java’s province Probolinggo town who were on their way to pay respects to their relative in neighboring Pasuruan city, said local deputy police chief Capt. Mustofa.

He said the vehicle was moving uncontrollably and collided with a trailer truck while trying to overtake three other cars late Saturday. The occupants were thrown from the pickup and 15, including two children, died instantly. The others died in the hospital.

Both drivers were among the injured. The driver of the pickup was facing charges of reckless driving, said Mustofa, who like many Indonesians uses a single name.

Road accidents are common in Indonesia, where safety standards are poor.