47 passengers 'seriously' hurt, more than 100 others injured, after LRT trains in KL collide

KUALA LUMPUR — At least 200 people were hurt, including 47 with serious injuries, after two LRT Kelana Jaya Line trains collided near the KLCC station on Monday (May 24) night, said Malaysian Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong.

In a press conference at the station, he said the 8.33pm collision involved one train carrying passengers and another vacant train on a test run.

Mr Wee confirmed that there were 232 on board the occupied train at the time of the crash.

“Forty-seven people sustained serious injuries and another 166 suffered minor injuries,” the minister said.

“The 47 who were seriously wounded have been sent to the hospital.”

Ambulance and medical personnel were on scene to treat those with less severe injuries, Mr Wee added.

He said that he was saddened by the incident and promised a thorough investigation on how things went wrong.

“As part of the government, we are sad to face such incidents because it is the first such accident in over 23 years of the LRT operating in Malaysia."

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has ordered the Ministry of Transport and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, a government-owned public transport company that operates the country’s rail services, to conduct a full investigation into the crash.

“I view this accident seriously and have ordered the Ministry of Transport and Prasarana Malaysia Berhad to carry out a full probe to identify the cause of this accident, and stern action needs to be taken immediately,” he said in a statement.

“I understood that security and emergency personnel are at the scene. Hopefully the rescue work goes smoothly and the passengers involved are safe, while those injured are given immediate treatment," he added.

“Priority should now be given to the accident victims, and I have instructed all parties to cooperate fully to ensure the victims receive comprehensive treatment as we are also in the midst of a rising Covid-19 pandemic wave.” 

Earlier on Monday night, pictures and videos began circulating on social media depicting bloodied and crying riders in the moments after the mishap.

"The collision took place at the underground LRT track in KLCC. I was made to understand that there were several passengers injured," federal territories minister Annuar Musa said earlier on Monday night via his Twitter feed.

Passengers on the train had earlier shared on social media videos and images of the situation. One of the photos showed a person who appeared to be bleeding and sprawled on the floor.

Some also shared pictures of the train's shattered glass panels, caused by the collision.

Mr Wee said assessment and repair works had been immediately ordered to be carried out on the two carriages.

“One carriage was travelling at 20km/h and another at around 40km/h when the collision happened and this caused a significant jolt that threw some passengers out of their seats and this was how they sustained their injuries," he said.

“As of now I cannot say what is the extent of the damage or disruption to the service, and it is still too early and premature to assume the actual cause,” he said, adding that a full report of the incident is expected to be completed in no less than two weeks’ time.

He said some suffered injuries to their limbs, some on their neck and shoulders, but added how all those who needed medical attention were sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur for treatment and other nearby hospitals. AGENCIES