Inp.polri.go.id - Malang.  A collision between a bus and a truck at Kilometer 77+200 of the Pandaan-Malang Toll Road in East Java on Monday afternoon (23/12/2024) claimed four lives, including the bus driver.

Malang Sub-regional Police Chief Superintendent Putu Kholis Aryana confirmed the fatalities after an extensive evacuation process. 

"Initially, one fatality was reported, but further efforts revealed a total of four deaths, including the bus driver," he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

The deceased included one crew member and two passengers. All victims were taken to Dr. Saiful Anwar Regional Hospital in Malang, while injured survivors were treated at RSUD Lawang and Lawang Medica.

The bus, carrying students and staff from SMP IT Darul Qur'an Mulia Putri junior high school, Bogor, was en route to Kediri's Kampung Inggris after a trip to Mount Bromo. Police are investigating whether additional stops were made during their East Java tour.

The bus sustained severe front-end damage, leaving its driver’s cabin crushed. Traffic in the area was congested, with only one lane open from Surabaya to Malang. Authorities and toll operators continue to investigate the cause of the accident.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)