Ten dead as Navy helicopters collide mid-air in Malaysia
Ten people have died following a mid-air helicopter crash during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.
One of the helicopters clipped the rotor of the other before both crashed into the ground, footage published on local media show.
The crash took place at 09:30 local time in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a navy base.
There are no known survivors. “All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification,” said the Royal Malaysian Navy.
It added that it will form a committee to investigate the cause of the incident.
One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 with seven people on board, is believed to have crashed onto a running track.
The other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying the other three victims, crashed into a swimming pool nearby.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “the nation mourns the heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy”.
“Condolences to all the families of the victims and prayers for strength to face this calamity,” he said.
Helicopter crash Malaysia today – updates
Negara berdukacita dengan tragedi yang menyayat hati dan meruntun jiwa membabitkan nahas dua helikopter di Pangkalan TLDM Lumut hari ini.
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) April 23, 2024
Takziah kepada semua keluarga mangsa yang terkorban dengan doa agar diberi kekuatan dalam menghadapi musibah ini.
Tragedi ini ternyata… https://t.co/0DPTnuaYEJ