Johor Sultan expresses condolences to families of victims in Chiang Mai bus crash

Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar today expressed condolences to families of the 13 victims from Johor who perished in the bus accident in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday.

Sultan Ibrahim in his official Facebook said he had been briefed on the incident involving 22 residents from Batu Pahat, of whom 13 lost their lives.

"My condolences to the families of the deceased in this time of mourning and I hope the other passengers will return to their respective homes safely, InsyaAllah," he said.

Meanwhile, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin also expressed sadness and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

"I pray that they remain strong in their trials," he said in a statement here today.

State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said upon receiving news of the tragedy yesterday, he contacted his department and Batu Pahat MCA to to know further and to provide the necessary assistance.

He also expressed his deepest sympathies to families of the deceased. In the incident at 11.30 am local time (12.30pm Malaysian time), 22 Malaysians were in the bus with other passengers whose nationalities had not been determined.

An international news report said the bus skidded after hitting a pickup truck while heading to Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai.