Two passenger trains collided, causing 139 fatalities, making it Indonesia's worst railway crash to this day.

The crash happened between Pondok Ranji Station (at the time was not yet built) and Tanah Kusir Cemetery, north of Public High School 86 (SMAN 86), Jakarta, near the Bintaro Highway curve, about 200 metres (660 ft; 220 yd) after the Pondok Betung crossing and 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) before Sudimara Station.

Five minutes later, Djamhari was telephoned by Umrihadi, the officer from Kebayoran Lama Station, informing him that KA 220 Tanah Abang-Merak had departed for Sudimara.

A switcher boarded the rearmost carriage who tries to make it through the train and warn the engineer, to no avail due to the crowded condition.

The two crowded trains collided head-on at Km +18.75, causing telescoping effect which killed most passengers in the carriage immediately behind locomotive.

[2] Another recommendation was the construction of a new station between Kebayoran and Sudimara, the distance of which were considered extreme at over 13 km, to give a safety signal for passing train and reducing blind spots.