37 killed in Genting bus tragedy

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RESCUE MISSION: Emergency services personnel rescue a passenger (bottom left) after a bus carrying tourists and local residents fell into a ravine near Genting Highlands, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. The bus carrying up to 45 people plunged into a deep ravine near the mountaintop tourist resort yesterday, police said. — AFP photo

MEDICAL ATTENTION: A medical team administering treatment to one of the 40 bus passengers. — Bernama photo

CRANE TO THE RESCUE: Two bus passengers being lifted using a crane by Bomba personnel. The injured passengers were brought to the Selayang Hospital and Kuala Lumpur Hospital for further treatment. — Bernama photo

TRAGIC: Various search and rescue agencies working together to bring the about 40 passengers to safety from the ill-fated bus. — Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-seven people were killed while 16 others were injured after a bus with 53 people on board plunged into 60-metre deep ravine at KM3.5 from Genting Highlands yesterday.

The dead were 27 men and 10 women, said Fire and Rescue Department principal assistant director (Operations) Datuk Soiman Jahid.

According to police, among the dead were Bangladesh, Thailand and China nationals.

The injured including those reported critical are being treated at the Selayang Hospital (eight), Kuala Lumpur Hospital (five), Sungai Buloh Hospital and Bentong Hospital two each.

The 2.45pm accident happened when the ill-fated bus coming down the hill resort and heading here was descending a steep slope.

Some 450 search and rescue (SAR) personnel among others from the Fire and Rescue Department, the police and the Civil Defence Department were involved in the SAR operation.

Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Bentong MP Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai were also at the disaster location.

Soiman said the cause of the accident had yet to be determined and that they had yet to interview witnesses.

“But the descent was very steep and if the bus was not controlled well it could have skidded and plunged into the ravine.

“This is the initial assessment of the rescue team,” he said. — Bernama