JERTIH — What was meant to be a proud moment turned into heartbreak for Mohamad Isma Abdul Manaf, who received his daughter Nur Dalila Farhana’s death certificate instead of her university degree.

The 21-year-old was among 15 UPSI students who lost their lives in the tragic bus crash along the East-West Highway in Gerik, Perak, on Monday.

Mohamad Isma, devastated but resilient, said the certificate will help in settling matters like insurance. The document was handed over at his home by Terengganu NRD director Mohamad Nasir Kareem.

The crash involved a chartered bus and a Perodua Alza, injuring 33 others, including both drivers.

According to NRD, eight certificates were delivered to families, five collected at counters, and two are still being processed — part of efforts to ease the burden on grieving families.