ALOR GAJAH: Seven people were killed and 33 others injured in a collision involving three vehicles at KM204 of the North-South Expressway (Plus) northbound, near the Ayer Keroh Rest and Service Area (R&R) tonight.
Melaka Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz said the accident involved a tour bus carrying 27 passengers, a trailer, and a Toyota Estima multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
He said preliminary investigations revealed the victims killed in the horrific accident included three adult men, three adult women and a child.
"Five of the victims were the driver and passengers of the Toyota Estima, comprising two adult men, two adult women, and a baby girl.
"Meanwhile, the other two victims were the tour bus driver and a woman who was a passenger on the bus," he said when met at the scene early this morning.
He said the victims' remains were sent to Melaka Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Mohd Pisar said 17 injured victims were sent to Melaka Hospital, 10 to Alor Gajah Hospital, and another six to Pantai Ayer Keroh Hospital.
He said the victims sustained various injuries, and the police are still working to identify all those involved.
Earlier, he said the department received a distress call at 8.45pm, after which 27 personnel were deployed to the scene.
It is understood that the incident caused traffic congestion exceeding 10 kilometres in both directions on the highway.
Plus Malaysia in a post on Facebook said smartlanes were on the southbound route, allowing light vehicles to use the emergency lane to ease congestion.
"Motorists were advised to drive cautiously and expect disruptions," it said.– Bernama