PM offers condolences to families of victims

Najib Abdul Razak has offered condolences to the families of victims of the express bus which plunged into a ravine in Genting Highlands today.

The prime minister also hoped the best rescue efforts were carried out by the teams and agencies involved.

He said this in his Twitter account tonight.

As of 9pm, 37 people, including the bus driver, were confirmed dead after the bus plunged 60 metres into the ravine at KM3.6 Jalan Genting Highlands today.

The mishap occurred when the bus, which was ferrying 53 passengers, negotiated a steep downhill stretch from the top of Genting Highlands, heading towards the federal capital.

Earlier, 16 victims have been brought out of the ill-fated bus and are now receiving treatment at several hospitals for their injuries.

Federal Territory Fire and Rescue assistant director Azizan Ismail said the accident happened at 2.22pm.

"The Fire and Rescue Department has mobilised 150 men for the search and rescue operation," he told reporters at the disaster location.

Traffic was backed up nearly four kilometres on both sides of the Karak Highway at the location of the disaster.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) Emergency and Trauma Department head Dr Abu Hassan Ashaari said as of 6.28pm, five bodies had been sent to the hospital.

Other hospitals the victims were sent to were the Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selayang Hospital and the Bentong Hospital.

"So far the Selayang Hospital has received seven of the victims, HKL (five), the Sungai Buloh Hospital and Bentong Hospital two each," Dr Abu Hassan said when met at HKL.

He said the victims were aged between 19 and 50 years.

- Bernama

Past major bus accidents in Genting Highlands :

March 5, 2012: Two dead, 20 hurt in bus crash.

July 30, 2011: 13 injured after a bus skidded when heading downhill.

Oct 29, 2010: A bus crashed at the Genting Sempah-Genting Highlands Highway slip road, killing seven.

June 16, 2009: 22 hurt in a bus accident.

July 16, 1996: A bus carrying factory workers and their families on a holiday excursion, plunged into a 120 metre ravine at Km1 Genting Sempah-Genting Highlands Highway, killing 17.

June 30, 1995: A landslide affecting cars and a bus resulted in 20 deaths.