Semarang, Indonesia— An inter-provincial bus carrying thirty passengers slammed into a stationary freight truck on the main highway outside Semarang early Tuesday morning. The collision forced a complete blockage of the westbound lanes for several hours. Local police are currently investigating reports of brake failure.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find the front cabin of the bus severely crushed. Firefighters used hydraulic cutters to access the trapped driver. Passengers scrambled out through the emergency exits as steam poured from the engine block.

Paramedics transported fifteen injured individuals to local hospitals. Three passengers remain in critical condition. The truck driver, who was changing a tire on the shoulder, escaped the impact without injury.

"The bus lost control on the downward slope," an investigating officer said. "It fishtailed before hitting the rear of the truck with significant force."

Debris from the impact scattered across all three lanes of the highway. Recovery crews spent the morning clearing shattered glass and twisted metal. Traffic backups extended over five kilometers during the peak commute period.

Police are reviewing the bus company's maintenance records for the vehicle involved. Preliminary findings suggest a failure in the pneumatic brake system. The vehicle recently passed its six-month safety inspection, raising questions about current oversight.

Local transit authorities have ordered a temporary suspension of operations for the bus company’s fleet in the region. Investigators remain on-site to document the skid marks and finalize their incident report. The road reopened to limited traffic by midday.

Management at the transit firm refused to provide immediate comment. They cited ongoing internal reviews regarding the driver's logs and the vehicle’s mechanical history. Families are awaiting further updates at the central terminal.