A commuter train ploughed into a truck carrying petrol in the Indonesian capital Jakarta today, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 60, police said.

The crash at a level crossing in south Jakarta sparked an explosion and sent a column of fire into the sky, television showed.

The first carriage, which was designated for women only, was burned.

At least seven people have been confirmed dead, including the train driver, said a police officer in south Jakarta.

Some of the injured suffered serious burns, Metro TV said.

“Passengers screamed in panic because emergency doors could not be opened,” a passenger who managed to escape, Veronica, told the channel.

“Luckily local residents rushed to help and broke the glass windows,” she said.

Railway officials said the number of fatalities was not yet known.

- dpa