15 dead in school bus crash

At least 15 people, most of them schoolchildren, have been killed in a collision between a lorry and a school bus in the East Malaysian state of Sarawak, local police say.

The bus reportedly burst into flames after being hit by the articulated lorry, which was out of control after colliding with another car.

The accident occurred on Tuesday evening near the town of Limbang, close to the border with Brunei.

Police Inspector Marzuki Muhamad said many of the bodies were burnt beyond recognition while the bodies of others thrown from the van were strewn across the road.

He said that one schoolgirl had survived the crash but was in a serious condition in hospital.

Speaking to reporters by telephone Inspector Marzuki said he believed the accident was the worst such crash in the state's history.

The driver of the lorry is reported to have been arrested.