Bangladeshi worker among two killed in deadly Malaysia expressway crash

Authorities say the Bangladeshi victim’s identity is being withheld for now to support the ongoing investigation

A general view of the city, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Oct 12, 2023. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

A high-speed collision on a Kuala Lumpur expressway has turned deadly in Malaysia, killing two people, including a Bangladeshi expatriate, after a lorry rammed into stationary vehicles in a chain crash.

The accident occurred on the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE) on Friday afternoon, involving multiple vehicles in a three-way collision.

Malaysian media outlet New Straits Times, citing City Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department Chief Assistant Commissioner Md Zamzuri Isa, confirmed the incident.

Police said the crash occurred near the Air Panas toll plaza on the Ampang-bound stretch of the highway.

According to police and witnesses, a lorry suffered a mechanical failure and came to a halt on the expressway. Another lorry and a pickup van stopped behind it to assist.

Moments later, a speeding lorry approached from behind and slammed into the stationary vehicles with force, triggering a deadly chain impact.

Two people were crushed between the vehicles and died at the scene.

Police confirmed that the other victim was a Malaysian citizen.

The authorities did not disclose the identity of the Bangladeshi victim immediately for the sake of the investigation.

Both were reportedly outside their vehicles at the time of the crash.

Three others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital, where they remain under medical observation.

Police said initial assessments suggest the crash may have been caused by the speeding lorry driver losing control.