A tragic bus accident in northern Malaysia has claimed the lives of at least 15 people, most of them university students returning to campus after a public holiday.
The crash occurred early Monday near the town of Gerik along the East-West Highway, a route known for its hazardous conditions and frequent accidents.
Authorities report that the bus, carrying students from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), collided with a minivan shortly after 1 a.m. local time.
Thirteen passengers died at the scene, while two others passed away in hospital. Thirty-three others sustained injuries, seven of whom remain in critical condition.
Perak State Police Chief Hisam Nordin said preliminary investigations suggest the bus lost control before rear-ending the minivan. Images from the crash site depict the bus overturned on its side, its rear severely damaged, while the minivan was found in a ditch with shattered windows.
“Some passengers escaped on their own, others were ejected from the vehicle, and some were trapped inside,” the Perak state disaster management authority said. Rescue crews had to use hydraulic cutters to free those caught in the wreckage.
Among the victims were 14 UPSI students, aged mostly between 21 and 23, along with a bus attendant. The passengers had been traveling from Jerteh in northeast Malaysia when the accident occurred.
One survivor, Wan Muhammad Hanifah Wan Azman, recounted the terrifying moments before the crash: “We smelled burnt rubber, then the bus sped up and swerved to avoid a car ahead before flipping over. It all happened so fast—one moment on the road, the next everything went black.”
Malaysian authorities are investigating whether the crash resulted from driver error or mechanical failure.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed deep sorrow over the incident and pledged government support for the victims’ families. “This heartbreaking tragedy is a reminder to all to exercise caution on the roads,” he said, urging drivers to prioritize safety.
Malaysia continues to face significant challenges with road safety, recording an average of 18 fatalities each day.
The East-West Highway, which connects the east and west coasts of the Malaysian peninsula, is notorious for its dangers, with frequent collisions involving vehicles and wildlife.
This accident recalls the country’s deadliest bus crash in 2013, when 37 people died after a bus plunged into a ravine northeast of Kuala Lumpur.
