Gerik: Thirteen of the 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students who tragically lost their lives in a bus crash have been identified as borrowers of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), as stated by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zambry announced that the PTPTN education loan Group Takaful Protection Scheme will fully settle the loan debts of these 13 students. Furthermore, their heirs will receive a death benefit of RM1,500 per student.

The accident occurred between 12:30 am and 1:00 am on June 9, when a bus chartered from Jertih to Tanjung Malim overturned after a collision with a Perodua Alza on the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding. The crash resulted in the deaths of 15 UPSI students and injuries to 33 others, including the bus driver, the second driver, and the driver and three passengers of the Alza MPV.