During a rehearsal for a naval parade, tragedy struck as two Malaysian navy helicopters collided in mid-air, resulting in the loss of all 10 crew members, the navy confirmed in a statement.
The fatal incident unfolded at 9:32 a.m. on Tuesday morning at the Lumut naval base in Perak’s western state, according to navy reports.
Tragically, all victims were pronounced dead at the scene, with their remains transported to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification, the navy stated.
A video circulating on local media captured the heart-wrenching moment when the helicopters, flying in formation, collided, causing both aircraft to crash. Local authorities have authenticated the footage.
In response to the accident, the navy announced plans for a thorough investigation into its cause.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that the involved aircraft—a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper—were engaged in preparations for a parade commemorating the Royal Malaysian Navy’s 90th anniversary, slated for the upcoming Saturday.
Efforts are underway to confirm the identities of the deceased crew members, all of whom were reported to be under the age of 40, Mohamed Khaled informed the press.
