KUANTAN, Aug 22 — According to the police’s preliminary investigations, the bus involved in yesterday’s Genting Highlands disaster was out of control for about 100 metres before it plunged into a 60-metre deep ravine 3.5km from the summit of the popular hill resort.
Pahang police chief Datuk Sharifuddin Ab Ghani said the bus had first hit the side of the hill before careening off the road.
“According to information from Central Pahang Omnibus Bhd (the operator of the bus), the yellow bus with registration WGA 4136 was to carry 48 passengers as this number of tickets were sold.
“However, it was carrying more than this number of passengers,” he said.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan had earlier told the media that the search and rescue operation (SAR) for victims was called off at 9.30 last night.
Of the 53 people on board, 37 people died in the tragedy including the driver while 16 others were injured. — Bernama
