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Two Malaysian military helicopters collided mid-air and crashed during a training session, reportedly killing all 10 people on board.
“The helicopters were rehearsing at a naval base in northern Perak state for the navy’s 90th anniversary celebration when the accident occurred, the navy said in a brief statement,” the Associated Press reports.
“All victims were confirmed dead on site,” the statement said.
Footage of the incident is circulating on social media.
WATCH:
BREAKING: 2 military helicopters collide in Lumut, Malaysia – 10 people killed pic.twitter.com/yMXqLMoesb
— Quick News Alerts (@QuickNewsAlerts) April 23, 2024
From the Associated Press:
A video circulating on social media purported to be of the incident shows several helicopters flying low in a formation. One of the helicopters veers sideways and clips the rotor of another helicopter, causing both to plunge and crash. A local police officer, who declined to be named because he isn’t authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the footage is genuine.
The two choppers were mangled beyond recognition. Rescue workers sifted through the debris to find the bodies. The victims included three women and seven men aged between 26 and 41, authorities said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the nation mourned over the “heart and soul-wrenching tragedy.” He said the navy will immediately carry out an investigation to find the cause of the incident.
Seven of the dead crew members were aboard an AW139 maritime operations helicopter, the navy said. That aircraft is produced by AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of the Italian defense contractor Leonardo. The other three were on a Fennec lightweight helicopter, manufactured by European multinational defense conglomerate Airbus.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said that the anniversary celebration this Saturday will be cancelled and replaced with Friday prayers for the victims.
WATCH:
Ten people died in a mid-air collision between two Malaysian navy helicopters, the navy said. Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the aircraft was rehearsing for a parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy https://t.co/mdNK4SQHSW pic.twitter.com/dDlUvUp8v0
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 23, 2024
Another close up video of the 2 helicopters colliding while practicing for a military celebration event in Malaysia earlier this morning.
A total of 10 people died. pic.twitter.com/wNyCBf01dg
— Brian’s Breaking News and Intel (@intelFromBrian) April 23, 2024
NBC News noted:
Local media reported that the AW139 crashed at a sports complex at the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.
The navy said it will launch an investigation to determine what caused the accident.
