Cops Still Probing Highway Crash That Killed 6 Rohingya Refugees

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Over 500 detainees broke out of the Sungai Bakap immigration detention depot in Bandar Baharu, Kedah, early yesterday morning. (Bernama pic)GEORGE TOWN: Police are still investigating a man who crashed into a group of Rohingya refugees who dashed across the North-South Expressway after fleeing their detention camp yesterday.
Penang police chief Shuhaily Zain said initial investigations revealed that local residents who saw the group attempting to cross the highway had advised the escapees against it, but they refused to listen.
“We have taken the driver’s statement and are still investigating the case.
“We are also on the lookout for witnesses,” he told reporters at the state police headquarters here today.
He said the six dead were three girls aged eight, 14 and 18, a nine-year-old boy, and two men aged 20 and 36.
The driver of the car that hit them, a Penangite, was sober behind the wheel of a grey Toyota Vios, he added.
Shuhaily also revealed that another two escapees had minor injuries in the accident and received outpatient treatment at a nearby hospital.
Meanwhile, Sinar Harian said some locals saw several vehicles, including a trailer lorry, crashing into the refugees crossing the highway.
Syamsuddin Che Adni, 29, told the daily that he helped a child sprawled over the highway divider to safety but the victim died moments later.
Separately, Shuhaily said as at 2pm, 111 more Rohingya were being pursued in the oil palm estates of Kerian, Penang, and the Nibong Tebal town area after over 500 detainees broke out of the Sungai Bakap immigration detention depot in Bandar Baharu, Kedah, early yesterday morning.
He said the police air wing from Subang had been summoned to the area to carry out an aerial search. - FMT

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