involved<\/a>\u00a0in a multi-vehicle collision on the tourist route to Mount Bromo in Probolinggo Regency, East Java, on Saturday, 9 May 2026. The accident, which occurred on a steep downhill section in Ngadas Village, Sukapura District, is suspected to have been caused by brake failure.<\/p>\nThe collision took place at approximately 11:45 am WIB and involved at least four vehicles. According to police and eyewitness accounts, the Toyota Hiace minibus, registration number BE-7013-AQ, was travelling from the Bromo tourist area towards Probolinggo after transporting foreign tourists.<\/p>\n
Inspector Aditya Wikrama, Head of Traffic Law Enforcement at the Probolinggo Police Traffic Unit, said the vehicle reportedly lost control while descending the slope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is suspected that the vehicle became uncontrollable because of a malfunction in the braking system while travelling downhill, causing it to veer into the opposite lane,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Police stated that the Hiace first collided with a Toyota Rush driven by Mohammad Mahfud, a resident of Surabaya. The vehicle then struck a Renault Koleos driven by Putra Adi from Bogor before also hitting another Toyota Hiace travelling in the opposite direction. Reports from eyewitnesses later indicated that a Toyota Alphard was also involved in the chain collision.<\/p>\n
The minibus eventually came to a halt after crashing into an electricity pole, which was reportedly snapped in half by the impact.<\/p>\n
\n<\/blockquote>\nDriver and passengers attempted to prevent ravine crash<\/h3>\n
Witnesses and passengers described moments of panic inside the vehicle after the brakes allegedly failed during the descent.<\/p>\n
Yogi, a passenger and tour guide travelling in the Hiace, said the braking system stopped functioning around 10 minutes after the journey began.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout 10 minutes after leaving Arthotel for Ayam Bawangan, the brakes suddenly stopped working. It was likely because the brakes had overheated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Yogi, the vehicle accelerated downhill at approximately 70 to 80 km\/h on a road crowded with local residents attending a roadside celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a crowd of about 50 people attending a celebration down below. Thankfully, we managed to avoid them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another account from tour guide Yopi stated that the brakes had failed roughly 300 metres before the crash site.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe brakes failed from around 300 metres away, the vehicle was travelling at about 75 km\/h, and it eventually crashed into four vehicles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Passengers and crew reportedly attempted to steer the vehicle away from pedestrians and prevent it from plunging into a ravine. According to accounts given to local media, the driver and conductor worked together to control the steering before deliberately directing the vehicle towards the electricity pole in an attempt to stop it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter hitting several vehicles, we finally struck an electricity pole. Both of us were steering so the vehicle would stop,\u201d Yogi said.<\/p>\n
Injuries and medical treatment<\/h3>\n
The crash left several people injured, including Singaporean nationals travelling in the Hiace.<\/p>\n
Police records cited by local media stated that the vehicle was carrying seven passengers, consisting of six Singaporean tourists and one Indonesian citizen. Initial reports varied regarding the total number of casualties, with some reports stating eight injuries, while others reported at least nine or 11 injured victims.<\/p>\n
Authorities confirmed that most of the injuries were classified as minor. Three passengers travelling in the Renault Koleos sustained injuries and were treated at Ar Rozy Regional Hospital. Meanwhile, six passengers from the tourist minibus received treatment at Sukapura Community Health Centre.<\/p>\n
Yogi stated that several passengers suffered leg injuries and some were suspected to have fractures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe group I was accompanying were foreign tourists from Singapore. Most suffered leg injuries, and some may have broken bones,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported in the incident.<\/p>\n
Police investigation underway<\/h3>\n
The Probolinggo Resort Police Traffic Unit is continuing its investigation into the cause of the accident.<\/p>\n
Authorities also revealed that the vehicle was reportedly being driven by a replacement driver named Agung at the time of the collision. The primary driver, identified as Yopi, said he had been resting due to fatigue.<\/p>\n
Inspector Aditya noted that the area had been crowded when the crash occurred because local residents were attending a celebration nearby.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were approximately 30 people near the location attending a celebration. Thankfully, the vehicle did not strike any pedestrians,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Several vehicles involved in the collision sustained severe damage, with some overturning at the scene. Traffic on the Mount Bromo tourist route was temporarily disrupted while emergency responders evacuated victims and cleared the wreckage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n