JOHOR BARU: Nine children, at least one of them as young as eight, were killed when a car rammed into them as they were cycling along the Middle Ring Road, Johor Baru, early this morning.
The tragedy occurred at 3.30am when the kids, aged between eight and 16, were riding downhill along the stretch leading to the traffic light at Jalan Sungai Chat, near the Thistle Hotel.
It is learnt that a Nissan Almeira was involved in the accident. The vehicle was travelling on the Inner Ring Road before hitting the victims, who were along the road shoulder.
Further details on the incident, including why the children were out at the time, were unavailable at the time of writing.
Johor Baru Selatan police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulaiman Salleh confirmed the incident but has yet to not disclose the exact number of dead children yet.
Four were believed to have been injured in the incident.
Sulaiman is expected to give a press conference at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital mortuary soon.
Mohd Khairul Nizam Amir, 25, said his brother Azham, 16 was among the dead. He said he was told nine are dead so far.
Family, friends and neighbours of the children killed have gathered at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital mortuary.
Ani Hussein, 33, whose neighbour's son was killed in the incident, said that the family of four of the victims have identified the remains.
"The other bodies have yet to be identified," she said at the mortuary.