Traffic jam, heat, kill 12 in Indonesia

A traffic jam has claimed at least 12 lives at a highway junction in the Indonesian town of Brebes, while thousands of drivers attempted to travel to their villages to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

The traffic jam, some 13 miles (21 kilometres) long, was exacerbated byongoing roadworks, coupled with soaring temperatures that reached 30 degrees Celcius, daily .

A transport ministry spokesman said 12 people had died between 3rd and 5th July.

Several of the dehydration victims were elderly, others died from fatigue and other health complications. Local media reported that a one-year-old was killed by fumes.

Local authorities say they have established an emergency system to offer medical treatment to those trapped in their vehicles.