POLICE have confirmed that a full investigation is underway following a tragic road accident along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students and injured dozens more.
The collision, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, involved a chartered bus carrying 36 UPSI students and a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Both vehicles were travelling from Kelantan towards Perak when the crash took place.
Bukit Aman Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department Director, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, said police were alerted to the incident at 1.25am via the Gerik district police control centre and immediately dispatched officers to the scene.
“It is still too early to determine the exact focus of the investigation at this stage,” he said. “We will carry out a comprehensive investigation into the incident. I am currently en route to Gerik to assess the situation firsthand and to be briefed by the investigating officer,” News Straits Times quoted him saying.
Yusri urged the public to refrain from speculation, noting that premature conclusions could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
“At this juncture, I can confirm that 15 people have died and at least 27 others sustained various injuries and have been sent to Gerik Hospital for treatment,” he added.
A statement from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) confirmed that the Banun Disaster Operations Control Centre received an emergency call at 1.10am. APM personnel arrived at the scene just over an hour later to find the bus overturned and the Alza MPV in a ditch, severely damaged.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), responders had to cut open the rear of the overturned bus using hydraulic equipment to free several trapped passengers. Two critically injured victims and four deceased were extracted before being handed over to medical personnel and police.
“Some victims managed to exit on their own, others were thrown from the bus, and several remained trapped,” said JBPM in a statement. “Thirteen of the deceased were from the bus, while three of the four occupants of the Alza sustained minor injuries, and one suffered a broken arm.”
The accident reportedly occurred around 3.40am as the students were returning from a community outreach programme in Kelantan. The rescue operation involved 17 firefighters from the Gerik and Jeli stations, supported by police and APM personnel.
Injured victims are currently receiving treatment at Gerik Hospital and Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh.
UPSI Sets Up Emergency Operations Room
Meanwhile, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has established a dedicated emergency operations room to coordinate response efforts following the tragic road accident in Gerik, Perak, that claimed the lives of 15 of its students in the early hours of Monday.
The operations room has been activated to manage all matters related to the incident, which involved a chartered bus carrying UPSI students. In a statement issued on Sunday, UPSI’s Corporate Communications Division confirmed that it had received preliminary reports on the accident and was taking follow-up actions to address the situation.
“In light of this tragedy, the university calls upon the entire UPSI community and the public to pray for all matters to be eased,” the statement read.
Members of the public seeking further information or wishing to make inquiries may contact the operations room via 05-450 7148 (office) or the hotline at 019-571 9977.
UPSI also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the families of those affected.
“The university remains deeply concerned for the wellbeing of our students and will ensure all forms of assistance are provided to the next of kin,” the statement added.
The fatal crash, which occurred along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, has sent shockwaves across Malaysia’s higher education community and has left the nation in mourning, particularly the families of the victims. - June 9, 2025
