A foreign YouTuber has been caught riding a coal train in Sumatra, Indonesia, and documenting the journey on YouTube. The video, uploaded by Russian YouTuber Vaga Vagabond, has since gone viral, attracting both shock and concern from netizens and local authorities alike.
The incident has prompted an official response from PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), with the company condemning the foreigner’s actions and vowing to investigate the matter.
The video in question, titled “Babaranjang – The Sumatra Coal Train”, was uploaded by Vaga Vagabond, a YouTuber who has amassed over 176,000 subscribers on his channel.
In the video, Vagabond is seen casually riding on the freight car of the Babaranjang train, which is primarily used for coal transportation. It is not a passenger train, and riding it is not only dangerous but illegal.
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The video has already garnered more than 50,000 views, sparking widespread debate about the safety risks and the behaviour of the foreign YouTuber. In the footage, Vagabond can be seen climbing aboard one of the coal-carrying cars and casually filming his journey as the train makes its way through the scenic areas of Sumatra.
While Vagabond’s intention was likely to capture an adventurous moment for his audience, the act of riding the train is both illegal and a serious safety hazard.
KAI’s Official Response
KAI Divre IV Tanjungkarang Public Relations Manager, Azhar Zaki Assajari, quickly condemned the action, emphasising that it was in clear violation of Indonesian railway laws.
“That is not an exemplary thing. The Babaranjang train is intended specifically for coal transportation. Entering the area is a violation of the law,” he stated in an interview with Liputan6 on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Azhar pointed to specific provisions in Indonesian law that govern the use of trains.
He referred to Law No. 23/2007 on Railways, particularly Article 183, which strictly prohibits anyone from being inside the locomotive, the driver’s cabin, on the train roof, or on the freight cars. “In fact, Article 107 clearly states the legal sanctions for violators of this rule,” Azhar noted.
The public outcry over the video has prompted KAI to launch an official investigation.
Azhar Zaki Assajari also issued a stern warning to the public, including foreign tourists, urging them to adhere to the safety regulations.
“We will conduct an investigation. If there is evidence of negligence from internal parties, of course, there will be sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations. Safety is a priority. Do not let the sake of content, lives are at stake,” he emphasised.
The Chronology of Vagabond’s Coal Train Journey
Vaga Vagabond’s journey on the Babaranjang train began in Panjang District, Bandar Lampung, where he planned to board the train. To do so, he had to wait around the tracks until he eventually managed to board one of the coal cars.
Vagabond’s goal was to experience the sensation of riding the Babaranjang, a long-range coal train that runs across Sumatra, transporting coal across the island. His journey started in Rangkasbitung Station, where he then made his way to Merak Port. From Merak, Vagabond took a ferry to Lampung, where he eventually hatched a plan to board the Babaranjang train.
As he travelled, Vagabond documented the surrounding scenery, capturing the view from the train as it passed through Sumatra. Throughout the journey, he avoid attracting the attention of local authorities, moving from one carriage to another.
The video also reveals that Vagabond switched trains at one point, getting off at a station and continuing his journey on another Babaranjang train. His adventure ended in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, where he disembarked the ride.
Cover: Photo by Haidan on Unsplash
