13 killed as trucks ram wedding guests' pickup on Indonesia highway

Five survivors remain hospitalised as authorities investigate the cause of the deadly accident

At least 13 people have been killed after a pickup truck carrying wedding guests was crushed between two trucks on a highway on Indonesia's main island of Java, The Economic Times reports.

The crash occurred on Sunday near Kiajaran Kulon village in Indramayu regency as the group was returning home from a wedding in neighbouring Parean village, the Indian daily said, citing police.

Local Traffic Police chief Undang Syarif Hidayat said the open-bed pickup had slowed and stopped near a median opening to make a U-turn when it was hit from behind by a wing-box truck travelling in the same direction.

The impact pushed the pickup into the opposite lane, where it was struck by another truck, Hidayat said.

The force of the collision reportedly threw more than a dozen passengers onto the highway.

Five survivors were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious, according to the daily.

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

As per The Economic Times, fatal road accidents are common in Indonesia, where overloaded vehicles, weak road safety standards and poor compliance with traffic rules frequently contribute to deadly collisions.