An electric train plying the Serpong-Tanah Abang route crashed into a gas tanker belonging to state oil company Pertamina in Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta on Monday.

Spokesman for the Jakarta branch of state-owned railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), Sukendar Mulya, said the crash had forced the temporary closure of commuter services on the route.

"Services have been temporarily halted," Sukendar said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Monday.

He explained that the crash took place at 11:15 a.m. on a level crossing in Pondok Betung, which is located between Pondok Ranji and Kebayoran Lama stations.

The front part of the train quickly became engulfed with flames and smoke was seen billowing high into the air from the crash site.

The trains passengers frantically sought to get out of the coaches, several of which had derailed.

No information has yet been released regarding the number of casualties.