AT LEAST 16 people were killed when a passenger bus and a fuel tanker collided head-on on a highway in Indonesia, engulfing both vehicles in fire.

The crash occurred around midday on Wednesday on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in North Musi Rawas regency, South Sumatra province. 

An intercity bus travelling from Lubuklinggau to Jambi struck a tanker truck approaching from the opposite direction, leaving little time to avoid impact.

Investigators believe the bus crossed into the oncoming lane while attempting to avoid a pothole. 

“The forceful impact triggered a fire that engulfed both vehicles, leaving many victims trapped inside,” said a local disaster management official.

The dead include the bus driver, 13 passengers, and the tanker’s driver and assistant, all of whom burned to death inside the vehicles. 

Four passengers survived, three with severe burns. 

Sixteen sets of remains were taken to hospital for identification, with all bodies severely burned, complicating the process.

Road accidents are common in Indonesia due to poor safety standards and infrastructure. 

Last week, a long-distance train struck a commuter service near Jakarta after hitting a broken-down taxi on the tracks, killing at least 15 passengers in a women-only carriage.