How Did 24 People End Up in Hospital After a Bus Overturned on a Bintan Bridge?

Quick answer: An operational bus belonging to the Bintan Regency Government (Pemkab Bintan) overturned on the Kanboi Bridge in Bintan, Riau Islands, on the afternoon of Tuesday 20 October 2026, after colliding with a Mitsubishi Xpander Cross. All 24 people involved — 21 bus occupants and 3 car occupants — were taken to hospital for treatment. No deaths were reported.

Key facts

• What: Bus–car collision followed by the bus overturning
• Where: Jembatan Kanboi (Kanboi Bridge, also known as Jembatan Sungai Ladi), Jalan Lintas Barat, Teluk Bintan, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands, Indonesia
• When: Tuesday 20 October 2026, around 16:20–16:30 WIB
• Vehicles: Pemkab Bintan operational bus carrying civil servants and teachers from the Education Office, and a white Mitsubishi Xpander Cross
• Casualties: 24 people hospitalised (21 from the bus, 3 from the car); no deaths reported
• Suspected cause: The Xpander driver was allegedly speeding, lost control and struck the bus from the opposite direction, according to Bintan traffic police

What happened

The Pemkab Bintan bus was carrying a group of civil servants (PNS/ASN) and teachers from the regency Education Office when it collided with the oncoming Mitsubishi Xpander Cross in the middle of the Kanboi Bridge. The force of the impact caused the bus to lose its balance and overturn on the bridge, coming to rest across much of the roadway and partially blocking traffic.

The bus passengers, consisting of civil servants and teachers, sustained injuries in the overturn. All of the injured were evacuated to the Raja Ahmad Tabib hospital (RSUP Kepulauan Riau) for medical treatment.

Police response

Officers from the Bintan Police traffic unit (Satlantas Polres Bintan) secured the scene and carried out an on-site investigation, examining the crash site and taking statements from witnesses and both drivers. The head of the traffic unit, Iptu Yelvis Oktaviano, said the crash was suspected to have been caused by the driver of the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross travelling at high speed before losing control and hitting the bus from the opposite direction. Police said their investigation was continuing.

Frequently asked questions

How many people were hurt in the Bintan bus crash?

All 24 people involved were taken to hospital — 21 occupants of the Pemkab Bintan bus and 3 occupants of the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross. No deaths were reported.

Where exactly did the bus overturn?

On the Kanboi Bridge (Jembatan Kanboi, also referred to as Jembatan Sungai Ladi) on the West Cross Road (Jalan Lintas Barat) in Teluk Bintan, Bintan Regency, in Indonesia’s Riau Islands province.

What caused the bus to overturn?

According to Bintan traffic police chief Iptu Yelvis Oktaviano, the crash was suspected to have been caused by the driver of the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross speeding, losing control and colliding with the bus from the opposite direction. The investigation was ongoing at the time of reporting.

Who was travelling on the bus?

The bus was an operational vehicle of the Bintan Regency Government carrying civil servants and teachers from the regency Education Office (Dinas Pendidikan).

*Compiled from reporting by hariankepri.com, kepriraya.com, spektroom.co.id, kepri.co.id, bataminfo.co.id, kepridays.co.id and detikcom on 20 October 2026.*