Gerik: The identities of all 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who were killed in a crash at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik have been confirmed. The tragic incident occurred early this morning and has sent shockwaves through the community.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UPSI’s Corporate Communications Division released a statement identifying the deceased students. The victims included Sufea Adela Maslihaizan, 21, from Kampung Air Terjun, Jertih; Mohammad Aqil Taqiudin, 21, from Kampung Gong Bayor, Besut; Anis Soffiyya Md Zaidi, 20, from Kampung Rahmat, Chalok, Setiu; and Nur Ainul Qistina Mat Ali, 21, from Lorong Tapah, Kampung Anak Ikan, Jertih.

Further identification included Fakhrul Arif Rosdi, 20, from Kampung Kerandang, Jertih; Nurul Fatihah Abu Setaman, 22, from Kampung Gong Duek, Besut; Nur Dalila Farhana Mohamad Isma, 21, from Kampung Bharu Tok Dor, Jertih; Nurul Izyanti Muhamad Azahar, 21, from Kampung Padang Luas, Jertih; and Nur Amni Nadiah Nik Nor Zabir, 21, from Kampung Paya Rawa, Besut. Additionally, Muhammad Mustaqim Rosde, 21, from Kampung Telaga Nibong, Jertih; Nor Ayuni Maslan, 21, from Felda Tenang, Jertih; Nurly Sahirah Azman, 23, from Kampung Gong Pasir Kerandang, Besut; and Fatin Nasrien Fadli, 22, from Kampung Kerandang, Besut, were named among those who perished.

The post-mortems for these victims were conducted at the Forensics Department of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB) in Ipoh. Two other victims, Muhammad Adib Hazim Halim, 21, from Kampung Pasir Badak, Jertih, and Wan Nur Suhaila Wan Muhammad, 22, from Jalan Gong Maksom, Kampung Amer, Besut, had their post-mortems carried out at Hospital Gerik.

Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin stated that all post-mortems were completed by the afternoon. Following this, a convoy of vans began transporting the students’ remains from the HRPB Forensics Department to Jertih, Terengganu. The convoy departed around 8.55 pm.

Upon arrival in Jertih, the 13 bodies will be taken to Masjid Hadhari for prayers before burial in their respective village cemeteries. The transportation to Terengganu is being conducted via the JRTB with police escorts from the Perak and Kelantan contingents.

The students were in a chartered bus traveling from Jertih to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, when it collided with a multi-purpose vehicle between 12.30 am and 1 am, leading to the fatal accident.