The government will ensure that all efforts are taken to bring back the remains of victims in the bus accident in Chiang Mai, north Thailand, and that assistance are provided to the family members of the victims.

Najib said he was saddened by the news of the accident in which 13 Malaysian nationals were confirmed as having died in the tragedy.

"I am sad to hear of the accident in Chiang Mai where 13 of our nationals were killed. I express my condolences to the families of the victims.

"The government will ensure that all efforts are taken to bring back the remains of the victims and that assistance are provided to the families of the victims," he said in his Facebook and Twitter accounts tonight.




Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his Twitter account tonight also expressed his condolences and hoped that Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Nazirah Hussin would do her best in handling the matter.

"My condolences to the families of the 13 Malaysian nationals who died in the accident in Thailand. It is hoped that our ambassador will do her best to bring back all the victims," said Ahmad Zahid.

Thirteen Malaysian nationals were confirmed to have died while nine others were injured, including four who are in serious condition, following the bus accident in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand on Sunday.

In the accident at 11.30am local time (12.30 pm Malaysian time), 22 Malaysian nationals were in the bus besides several other passengers whose nationality had yet to be determined.