Johor man, 18, sends younger siblings to school, unaware schools closed due to haze, gets into fatal accident

A total of three siblings died after their motorcycle collided with a lorry in hazy conditions on the morning of Oct. 8, 2026, in Johor, Malaysia.

Sin Chew Daily reported that the eldest, an 18-year-old man, was driving his 11-year-old brother and eight-year-old sister to a local elementary school when the accident occurred.

He was supposedly unaware that schools in Johor were closed due to the haze.

All died

Following the collision, two siblings reportedly fell in front of the motorcycle, with another sibling flung onto a grassy slope nearby.

Among the three, two died on the spot, while another was taken to the hospital but subsequently pronounced dead, China Press reported.

Johor schools temporarily closed

An earlier report mentioned that all schools in Johor would be closed for two days starting Oct. 8 to safeguard students' health amid worsening haze conditions and deteriorating air quality across the state.

According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), all eight areas in Johor recorded unhealthy readings as of 11am on Oct. 8, ranging from 162 to 188.

Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made following a directive from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, reported The Star.

"While this decision may req­uire some adjustment from everyone, under the current circumstances, the safety and health of children must be our shared priority," he said.

The district police chief is also expected to issue a statement regarding the Oct. 8 accident.