At least 15 people, mostly students, died after the bus in which they were travelling smashed into a minivan in northern Malaysia on Monday, media reports said.

According to reports, the students belonged to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

The fatal crash occurred at 1.10 am at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB) near Tasik Banding in Gerik, Perak, involving a chartered bus transporting UPSI students back to their campus in Tanjung Malim, Perak, and a Perodua Alza multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) that was traveling in the same direction, from Jeli, Kelantan to Gerik, reported Malay Mail.

The incident occurred just less than a month after nine members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) died in a mishap in Teluk Intan, Perak.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir met those students who were injured in the mishap.

He also met family members of the victims.

"Everyone is still shocked by this sad news. Just last night each of them met and sent these children off on the bus, but today they received tragic news that they never expected. Hopefully continue to be strong and strong with this test. Insya-Allah the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris will assist with all funeral matters and other assistance accordingly," he wrote on Facebook.

UPSI vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff told Malay Mail that the university has assigned one staff member to each affected family to ensure that all next of kin receive appropriate assistance.