Twenty‑three injured after tour bus crashes at Kanowit roundabout along Pan Borneo Highway

SIBU, Aug 31 — Twenty-three people were injured when a tour bus crashed into a single vehicle at the Kanowit roundabout on the Pan Borneo Highway early Monday morning. According to a statement from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department's operations centre, they received a distress call at 2.25am and dispatched six firefighters from the Sibu Jaya fire station to the scene.

The bus was carrying 43 people at the time of the accident, resulting in 23 injuries - 19 were women and four were men. Fortunately, no victims were trapped inside the bus. Firefighters helped one female victim out of the bus to a safer location, while the remaining 42 victims were assisted out by members of the public prior to the firefighters' arrival.

Medical personnel provided initial treatment to the injured, and they were subsequently transported to Sibu Hospital and Kanowit Hospital for further care. The rescue operation concluded at 4.50am, once firefighters confirmed the scene was secure and no additional assistance was necessary. The operation was aided by the police, Health Ministry, and Civil Defence Force.