37 Fatalities in Genting Highland Bus Disaster

22 August 2013

A tourist bus carrying 53 passengers broke through a concrete safety barrier and plunged 30m (some media reporting 60m) into a steep, wooded hillside at 14:25 local time on 21^st August 2013. The mishap killed 37 people on board and injured the remaining 16. It is apparent that the bus, licensed for 44 passengers, was carrying 53 passengers. On its return journey from Genting Highland towards Kuala Lumpur, the bus lost control at a bend while travelling along the downhill direction of the single carriageway highway.

Based on various information sources, the crash location is on an elbow bend, immediately downstream of a junction, possibly a purposely built escape ramp. Although the section is already heavily guarded by a continuous concrete profile barrier, this failed to contain the vehicle.

CRS is concerned with the implication of this crash for the many narrow hillside roads in Hong Kong frequented by buses. The key points are that:

-       adequate containment capability of safety barrier is crucial

-       vegetated but steep slopes of moderate height, as opposed to dramatic cliffs or vertical drops, are sufficient to cause very severe casualties

-       strict control of bus operation e.g. speed and overloading, on hilly routes could reduce the risk