A devastating accident in northern Malaysia has claimed at least 15 lives and injured dozens, marking one of the deadliest road tragedies in the country in over a decade. The collision involved a bus transporting university student and a minivan near the town of Gerik on the busy East-West Highway close to the Thai border.
Authorities confirmed that 13 victims died instantly at the scene, while two succumbed to their injuries later in hospital. Among the deceased, 14 were students from Sultan Idris Education University, and the last was identified as a bus attendant. The crash also left 33 people injured, with seven in critical condition.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. when the bus, carrying students returning to campus from Jerteh in northeastern Malaysia, reportedly lost control and collided with the minivan. Perak State Police Chief Hisam Nordin said, “It looked like the bus had lost control and hit the (minivan) from behind.” Emergency responders found the overturned bus with a smashed rear end and the red minivan lodged in a ditch, its windows shattered.
Rescue teams had to use hydraulic cutters to free those trapped inside the wreckage. Some victims managed to escape on their own, while others were ejected or remained trapped during rescue efforts. Most of the victims were aged between 21 and 23.
Police are investigating whether human negligence or technical issues caused the crash. Witness Razali described the scene as chaotic, with students screaming and crying for help amid the wreckage.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his grief and ordered the Higher Education Ministry to assist the victims’ families. In a statement, he emphasized the importance of caution and not rushing, especially on hazardous roads. “Heartbreaking disasters like these that are repeated often should be a lesson to all,” he wrote on Facebook, highlighting the need for increased safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
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