On Tuesday, a devastating incident occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak, Malaysia. Two Malaysian navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval parade, resulting in the tragic deaths of all 10 crew members on board. The collision took place at 9:32 a.m. local time, as confirmed by the navy.
Upon impact, both helicopters crashed to the ground, and all crew members were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were then transferred to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification purposes. The navy has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the crew members and is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
A video circulating on local media captured the moment of the collision, showing the helicopters flying in formation before one of the choppers' rotor clipped the other, leading to the tragic accident. Local authorities have verified the authenticity of the footage.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that the two aircraft involved in the collision were a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper. They were rehearsing for a parade commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy, scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Efforts are currently underway to confirm the identities of the crew members who lost their lives in the collision. Minister Nordin mentioned that all the victims were under the age of 40, highlighting the youthfulness of the talented individuals who tragically perished in the line of duty.
