At least eight factory workers were killed in an accident involving two buses and a van along the North South Expressway in Malaysia on Tuesday, The Star online reported.

Fire and Rescue Department spokesman Azman Hussin said eight people were killed on the spot while 35 others were injured in the 5:40am incident. The collision happened at KM147 of the expressway, just before the Juru Toll Plaza.

According to The Star online, the dead were eight female workers while those injured included three male and 32 female victims.

Seberang Perai Tengah District Police chief ACP Ni Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said initial investigation showed that all the factory workers were female and the three drivers were men.

A factory bus which had pulled over to the left due to engine breakdown was rammed from the rear by another factory bus. The impact thrust the stationary bus to the right of the expressway.

"A factory van on the same lane was then hit by the two buses," he told Bernama.

It is believed that the stationary bus was carrying Indonesian and Nepali workers from a Sony factory while the other bus was carrying workers from a Plexus factory.

Nik Ros Azhan said some of the workers were flung out of the bus on the left.

"The identities of the deceased are being ascertained and their remains have been sent to Seberang Jaya Hospital," he said.