Malaysia: 37 killed as bus plunges into deep ravine

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 22: At least 37 people were killed after a tourist bus plunged into a 200-feet-deep ravine near a hilltop resort near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.

According to a report, 16 people who survived the accident have been sent to nearby hospitals.

There were 53 people on board. Among the dead were Bangladeshi, Thai and Chinese nationals including many Malaysians, police said.

The bus was traveling downhill from the Genting Highlands resort in the afternoon when it went off the cliff and plunged some 60 meters into the ravine, according to authorities.

A rescue worker said that the driver, who was among the killed, apparently lost control of the vehicle on a downhill bend.

Due to the rugged terrain and thick vegetation at the crash site, rescuers had to install a makeshift pulley system to transfer bodies and injured victims.

There are fears that death toll may rise.

Police dogs had also been used to search for survivors before the search and rescue work ended late evening.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has expressed via his microblog his condolences to the victims' families.

OneIndia News