Three siblings aged 8, 11 and 18 died after the motorcycle they were travelling on collided with a lorry in Johor, Malaysia, on the morning of Oct. 8, 2026.
According to Sin Chew Daily, the eldest sibling, an 18-year-old man, was riding the motorcycle with his 11-year-old brother and eight-year-old sister when the accident occurred. He was reportedly taking the younger children to a local school.
The eldest brother was said to have been unaware that schools across Johor had been temporarily closed because of worsening haze conditions.
Three Siblings Die Following Collision With Lorry
Following the collision, two of the siblings reportedly fell onto the road in front of the motorcycle, while the third was thrown onto a nearby grassy slope.
Two of the siblings died at the scene, while the remaining sibling was taken to hospital but subsequently pronounced dead, according to reports by Sin Chew Daily and China Press.
The accident occurred as Johor was experiencing deteriorating air quality, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend school operations across the state.
Police are expected to issue a statement providing further details about the fatal collision.
Johor Schools Closed For Two Days Amid Haze
Schools throughout Johor were ordered to close for two days beginning Oct. 8 as a precautionary measure to protect students from the worsening haze.
According to Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), all eight monitoring areas in Johor recorded unhealthy air quality readings as of 11am on Oct. 8.
The readings ranged from 162 to 188 on Malaysia’s Air Pollutant Index, indicating unhealthy conditions that could pose risks to public health, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
The temporary closures came amid concerns over deteriorating air quality across the state, with authorities prioritising the health and safety of students.
Johor Authorities Prioritise Students’ Health
Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the school closures followed a directive from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
He acknowledged that the decision could require families and schools to make adjustments, but emphasised the importance of safeguarding children’s well-being under the prevailing circumstances.
The two-day suspension was intended to reduce students’ exposure to the unhealthy air conditions.
The fatal accident has also highlighted the importance of ensuring families receive timely information about school closures, particularly during emergencies or sudden changes to school operations.
Further details about the circumstances leading to the collision, including the sequence of events and the cause of the accident, are expected to be clarified when police release their findings.