Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – A tragic incident unfolded at the Lumut naval base in Perak state, Malaysia, on Tuesday as two Malaysian navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval parade. The collision resulted in the untimely death of all 10 crew members aboard the aircrafts, confirmed by the navy in a statement.
The fatal crash occurred at 9:32 a.m. local time, with first responders swiftly arriving at the scene to investigate the devastating accident. Video footage circulating in local media depicted the moment the helicopters, part of a formation practice, collided in the air. Tragically, the rotor of one chopper clipped the other before both aircraft plummeted to the ground.
All victims were declared deceased at the scene and later transported to the military hospital at the Lumut naval base for identification. As the nation reels from the loss, Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that the crew members, all under the age of 40, were in preparation for a parade commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy scheduled for the upcoming weekend.
In the wake of the devastating collision, an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the mid-air crash. Efforts to confirm the identities of the fallen crew members continue as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident. As the nation mourns the loss of these brave individuals, the Malaysian navy remains committed to understanding the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision and ensuring the safety of its personnel in future operations.