AT least 15 people have been confirmed dead following a tragic collision between a university bus and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) along the Gerik-Jeli Highway near Tasik Banding in the early hours of Monday.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 1am, involved a bus transporting students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
According to a statement released by the Secretariat of the Perak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), a total of 48 individuals were involved in the crash. Emergency services received a call from Hospital Gerik at 1.10am reporting the incident. “Upon arrival at the scene, a road accident involving an overturned bus and a Perodua Alza MPV was discovered,” the statement read.
“Thirteen victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at hospital,” the statement added.
It further noted the current condition of those injured: “At present, seven victims are in the red zone (critical), 20 are in the yellow zone (semi-critical), and 16 are in the green zone (minor injuries) at Gerik Hospital.”
Two injured female victims were among the first to receive medical attention following Monday’s fatal collision involving a Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) bus and a multi-purpose vehicle near Tasik Banding.
According to initial reports, the women—one suffering a broken arm and the other with head injuries—were taken to Hospital Gerik at 2.28am and arrived approximately an hour later.
The tragic news was further confirmed in a Facebook post by the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Professor Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff, who wrote simply: “UPSI is in mourning.”
The university has yet to release a formal statement but is believed to be assisting authorities and families of the affected students.
It is understood that the bus, carrying UPSI students, was en route from Jerteh, Terengganu to the university’s main campus in Tanjong Malim, Perak.
Bernama cited Perak Fire and Rescue Department Director, Sayani Saidon, saying, in a separate statement, that both the bus and the MPV had been travelling in the same direction—from Jeli, Kelantan towards Gerik—when the collision occurred, causing the bus to overturn and the MPV to veer into a roadside ditch.
“The accident involved a total of 48 victims. Some managed to escape on their own, others were thrown from the vehicle, while several remained trapped inside the bus,” she confirmed.
Sayani added that the rescue operation commander initiated a size-up and applied the 'saver' concept, directing teams to cut open the rear section of the bus using specialised hydraulic equipment to create a working space.
“Once access was established, six victims were found still inside the bus,” she said.
Rescue teams stabilised the injured and evacuated them from the wreckage, handing them over to medical personnel from the Ministry of Health (KKM) for further treatment.
“Those who managed to exit on their own were also given immediate medical attention at the scene. Deceased victims were handed over to the police for further action,” she added.
Casualties were transported to hospital using Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicles, KKM ambulances, and units from the Civil Defence Force (APM).
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and Alumni at UPSI, Professor Dr Norkhalid Salimin, confirmed that most of the passengers were university students returning from Aidiladha celebrations.
“They had gathered in Jerteh and hired a private bus to return to the Tanjong Malim campus after the holidays,” he said.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that the ministry would provide full support.
“All necessary assistance will be provided. Further updates will follow,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing.- June 9, 2025
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