Gerik: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has confirmed that 42 of its students were on board the bus involved in the fatal collision with another vehicle along the East-West Highway in Banun, Gerik, early this morning. The tragic accident resulted in the loss of 15 UPSI students’ lives.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the UPSI Corporate Communication Division, when contacted, reported that 44 students were initially scheduled to board the bus, but two did not. Following the incident, the division issued a statement acknowledging receipt of a preliminary report on the crash.

The statement from UPSI expressed the institution’s commitment to taking follow-up actions regarding the incident. It also requested the staff and public to pray for smooth proceedings in handling the aftermath. Furthermore, UPSI emphasized its ongoing concern for student welfare and pledged to support and assist the families of the crash victims.

Additionally, the Corporate Communication Division announced the activation of an operations room to handle inquiries and information dissemination. Those seeking information can contact the office at 05-450 7148 or the hotline at 019-571 9977.

In the aftermath of the crash, seven victims are receiving treatment in the red zone, 20 in the yellow zone, and six in the green zone at Gerik Hospital. Earlier, the Hulu Perak Civil Defence Force (APM) District Operations Control Centre (PKOD) confirmed that at least 15 individuals perished in the accident involving the UPSI student bus and another vehicle on the East-West Highway in Banun, Gerik.