8 killed in Malaysia bus accident

Eight people have been killed and 22 others injured when a tour bus veered off a Malaysian highway and caught fire early on Thursday morning.

All the passengers were Malaysian and that 15 of the survivors were hurt seriously, state-run news agency Bernama reported.

The accident occurred at around 1am near the town of Tapah at 326km on the country’s main north-south highway, as the bus was en route to a mountain resort, the report said.

The bus belonging to LBS Travel and Tours was on its way from Kerian in Perak to Genting Highlands.

The driver of the bus had swerved to avoid hitting a tyre in the road, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, and the bus plunged into a ditch and overturned, bursting into flames.

Among the dead is the driver of the bus.

The injured victims are being treated at the Tapah Hospital.

Two others managed to escape unhurt.