Ten people have died in a mid-air collision between two helicopters during a rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade. Footage published on local media appears to show one chopper clip the rotor of the other before they both plummet to the ground.
It happened in the town of Lumut in the western state of Perak at 9.30am Malaysian time, 2.30am UK time. There are no known survivors, according to the BBC.
The Royal Malaysian Navy said in a statement: “All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification.”
It added that an investigation will be carried out into what caused the incident.
Malaysia’s defence minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the aircraft were rehearsing for a parade to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy. It was due to be held on Saturday (April 27).
One helicopter had seven people on board and is understood to have crashed onto a running track.
The second chopper, a Fenec M502-6, was carrying three people. It crashed into a nearby swimming pool.
Mr Nordin said efforts are underway to identify the crew members killed. They were all below the age of 40, according to the minister.
The crash on Tuesday (April 23) comes after a Malaysian coast guard chopper crashed into the sea off Angsa Island.
Fishermen rescued the pilot, co-pilot and two passengers, the BBC reported.
