Ten Killed as Malaysian Military Helicopters Collide in
Tragic Accident
Two Malaysian military helicopters collided during a
rehearsal for a naval parade, resulting in the tragic loss of all 10 crew
members on board. The incident took place at the Lumut naval base in Perak
state, Malaysia, at 9:32 a.m. local time. The helicopters involved were
identified as a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec and an AgustaWestland AW139.
The collision occurred as the helicopters were flying in formation,
with one rotor clipping another, causing both aircraft to crash. A circulating
video depicted the moment of collision, confirmed as authentic by local
authorities.
The navy promptly confirmed the fatalities and transported
the victims to the Lumut Naval Base military hospital for identification.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin disclosed that the helicopters were
rehearsing for the Royal Malaysian Navy's 90th-anniversary parade. He also
mentioned that all crew members were under the age of 40.
An investigation into the cause of the collision was
announced by the navy, as efforts began to verify the identities of the
deceased. This tragic incident deeply saddened the nation and underscored the
risks inherent in military operations, prompting a somber reflection on the
sacrifices made by those serving in the armed forces.
