KUALA LUMPUR: The 10 crew members on board were killed after two Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed on Tuesday during a training exercise, according to the nation’s rescue organization.
Online footage shows many helicopters performing a fly-past exercise in advance of May’s Naval Day celebrations above the Lumut naval base, which is around 160 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur. The helicopters were flying low in formation.
It was observed that one helicopter clipped the back rotor of another, sending both into a spin and into collision.
The senior operations commander of the fire and rescue department, Suhaimy Mohamad Suhail, stated that “the two helicopters collided during flight training” and that “medical officers confirmed the death of all 10 crew members.”
According to the rescue organization, there were two aircraft involved: an AgustaWestland AW139 and a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec.
Images from the naval base stadium track showed the highly damaged Eurocopter model, assorted debris, and rescue workers surrounding it.
The naval base’s swimming pool area is where the AgustaWestland helicopter crashed.
In a condolence message to the victims’ families, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, “The nation mourns the heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy.”
Condolences were also sent by King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar of Malaysia. In a social media post, he wrote, “Queen Zarith and I feel very sad over the loss of national heroes in this tragedy.”
