IPOH – At least 15 people were killed in an accident involving a bus carrying students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the East–West Highway in Banun, Gerik, early this morning.
A statement from the Hulu Perak operations control centre of the Civil Defence Force (APM) said that they received an emergency call from Gerik Hospital regarding the collision at 1.10 am.
“Upon arrival at the scene, we found an overturned bus and a Perodua Alza MPV,” the statement read.
The statement confirmed that 48 people were involved in the crash, with thirteen victims pronounced dead at the scene, while two more died in the hospital. Four others sustained injuries.
It is understood that the bus was travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said the ministry will provide all necessary assistance to those involved in the tragedy.
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, who included members of the UPSI community.
“Further information will be updated in due course,” he said in a Facebook post today. – June 9, 2025