KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — The remains of 13 Malaysians who were killed in a tragic bus accident in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Sunday, were flown back to the country early this morning.

The deceased and their next-of-kin, who had arrived a day earlier to undertake the grim task of identifying their loved ones, were flown home in two military transport aircraft belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force.

The aircraft took off from the Thai air force base near Chiang Mai International Airport at about midnight and was scheduled to arrive at the Subang RMAF base at 3.40am.

The nine survivors of the crash are also believed to have returned to Malaysia.

The remains, which had been placed in caskets, were solemnly loaded onto an RMAF Hercules C-130 aircraft by Thai servicemen as monks offered prayers.

After the caskets were secured, family members boarded a similar Thai air force plane for the journey back.

In a statement last night, Wisma Putra thanked the Thai government for its support and assistance.

“The joint effort exemplifies the strong bilateral cooperation between the governments of Malaysia and Thailand,” it said.

Earlier yesterday, Malay Mail journalist Dan Guen Chin reported that Johor tourism and domestic trade executive councillor Datuk Tee Siew Keong was informed by Wisma Putra that the Thai authorities had agreed to release the bodies after their post mortem were completed at about 3pm.

“From Subang, the Health Ministry will take over and the bodies will be brought back to Batu Pahat in ambulances for the funeral services,” said Tee.

In Chiang Mai, Ushar Daniele reported that the next-of-kin of all except two of the families of the deceased had arrived at the Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital at 9am yesterday to have their DNA samples taken to identify the deceased.

The members of the two families who were unable to go to Chiang Mai had their DNA samples taken by Malaysian authorities.

The 13 victims were part of a group of 22 holidaymakers from Malaysia who were travelling from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. The tour was organised by Chiu Travel Sdn Bhd, which is based in Batu Pahat

It has been alleged that the driver of the bus, belonging to Weerapan Tour and Travel Limited Partnership, had lost control when he tried to flee a hit-and-run incident at about 11am.

Weerapan is believed to be connected to another fatal bus accident in 2013 which killed 23 people and injured 17.

Chiang Mai police chief Montri Sumboonnnanondha yesterday said they have not verified if Weerapan was the same company involved in the 2013 accident.

“We are now working with the relevant agencies to determine the cause of Sunday’s crash,” he said.

Chiu Travel has clarified that it was unaware of the accident in 2013 and that Weerapan was not engaged directly by them.

Its general manager Terence Yung said Weerapan was engaged by their ground agents in Thailand.