During a training session on Tuesday, two Malaysian military helicopters collided, resulting in the death of all 10 crew members on board, according to the country’s rescue agency.
Video footage circulating online depicted multiple helicopters flying in close formation over the Lumut naval base, approximately 160km from Kuala Lumpur, as part of a fly-past rehearsal ahead of Naval Day celebrations in May.
In the footage, one helicopter appeared to collide with the rear rotor of another, causing both aircraft to spiral out of control and crash.
Suhaimy Mohamad Suhail, a senior operations commander from the fire and rescue department, confirmed that the collision occurred during flight training and that medical officers had confirmed the death of all crew members.
The two helicopters involved were identified as a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec and an AgustaWestland AW139, as stated by the rescue agency.
Photographs from the scene depicted extensive damage to the Eurocopter model, with rescue personnel and debris scattered around the naval base stadium track. The AgustaWestland helicopter crashed in the area of the naval base’s swimming pool.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as a “heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy.”
Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also conveyed his condolences, expressing deep sadness over the loss of national heroes in the tragedy.
