Surabaya. At least eight people were killed and 44 others injured when a tourist bus carrying hospital employees and their families overturned near Mount Bromo in Probolinggo, East Java, on Sunday.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about road safety in Indonesia, where poorly maintained vehicles and hazardous routes continue to pose risks for travelers.

The bus was transporting around 50 passengers from Bina Sehat Hospital in Jember, East Java, on a recreational trip. The passengers are the hospital’s employees and family members. According to police, the driver, identified as 59-year-old Albahri, survived the crash and told investigators the vehicle’s brakes had failed.

“I pressed the brakes, but they did not work. Panicking, I swerved the bus into a roadside barrier to prevent it from plunging into a ravine,” Albahri said in his testimony to police.

The tragedy has deeply shaken the hospital community. Dozens of staff and relatives gathered anxiously at the hospital’s emergency ward in Jember as victims were transported back.

Among those grieving was Abdul Wahab, who lost his son, daughter-in-law, and young granddaughter. “I heard about the accident at 2 p.m. It turned out my son was among the victims. Later, I was told his wife and child also died,” he said with a trembling voice.

Police later released the identities of seven of the eight fatalities, all residents of Jember Regency:

• Bella Puteri Kayila Nuryati (10), from Gebang Tengah, Patrang
• Hesti Purwa Wredamaya (39), from Pancakarya, Ajung
• Hendra Pratama (37), from Kepatihan, Kaliwates
• Wardatus Soleha (35), Hendra’s wife, from Serut, Panti
• Aiza Fahrani Agustin (7), Hendra’s daughter, from Serut, Panti
• Arti Wibowati (34), from Glundengan, Wuluhan
• Nasha Azkiya Nayyara (14), from Baratan, Patrang

Authorities said one victim remains unidentified.