In a Facebook post, Wee said a special team was needed to thoroughly investigate the accident to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

“My condolences to the family members of the victims involved in the road accident on the North-South Expressway near Ayer Keroh last night. This incident is deeply saddening for all Malaysians,” he said.

The MCA president also expressed concern over the trend of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles over the year, with 825 reported by the cops up until October – an average of about three lorry crashes a day.

He said the authorities needed to take the matter seriously to prevent further loss of life as this was a “very worrying” trend.

Initial investigations into the Melaka crash revealed that it was caused by the front right tyre of a lorry being dislodged and landing in the middle lane.

A tour bus struck the detached tyre, causing the vehicle to swerve into the opposite lane and collide with a trailer. The trailer then swerved to the left due to the collision and crashed into the road barrier before hitting two other vehicles.

Earlier reports indicated seven fatalities: three men, three women, and a baby girl.

Thirty-three people were also injured.