Genting Highland bus plunge: 37 confirmed dead

The authorities have confirmed that 37 people have died from the Genting crash where a bus plunged into a ravine at KM3, Karak Highway this afternoon. The numbers consisted of 24 men and 13 women. The rescue teams have removed a total of 16 injured passengers from the vehicle out of the estimated 49 in the bus. However, the number of passengers had somehow increased when police found four more bodies. The accident involving the tour bus occurred at about 3 pm today. At this time the rescue work has been stopped by teams from the fire and rescue department and the other agencies. According to sources, the bus plunged into a 60 metres deep ravine. According to initial reports, the first victim is a woman who was removed from the crash site about 3.30pm. A total of 30 ambulances were on site to take the victims to a nearby hospital. The accident was believed to occur from a failure of the bus driver to control the bus causing it to crash into a barrier before plunging into a ravine. Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah is one of the earliest dignitaries arrived to monitor the rescue operation. A total of 450 firefighters, police and Civil Defence Department involved in the rescue operation . It is understood the families involved are waiting at Selayang and Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Victims are sent to Kuala Lumpur Hospital Emergency Department, however the source declined to elaborate. In 2012, two Indian tourists were killed while 22 others were injured when a bus they were traveling in skidded and overturned at kilometer 4.5, at Genting Highlands Highlands-Kuala Lumpur road. Meanwhile in 2010, seven passengers were killed while 21 others were injured in the deadly tragedy accident where a tour bus skidded and overturned at KM38 Genting Sempah. MORE TO FOLLOW