Two Malaysians among Lake Toba minivan crash victims

Two Malaysians are among the victims who died in a minivan that plunged into a deep ravine on Thursday morning in Simalungun regency near Lake Toba, North Sumatra.

“There are two Malaysians who died. We discovered this after we checked their passports,” Simalungun Police traffic chief Adj. Comr. Baginda Sitohang told The Jakarta Post.

But he refused to disclose the names of the Malaysian victims, saying police were still confirming their identities.

The accident occurred after the minivan veered off the road at Batu Gantung in Sibaganding village.

Eight passengers reportedly died at the scene. A child who survived but was critically injured is now being treated at the nearby Parapat Hospital, another three victims who sustained injuries were being treated Vita Insani Hospital in Pematang Siantar.

Baginda said the bodies of the dead victims were now being held at Pematang Siantar Hospital’s morgue.

An officer with the local search and rescue agency, James Sinaga, said that the accident occurred at 5 a.m. (mtq)