Two Malaysian Navy helicopters collided in midair Tuesday during a rehearsal for a naval parade, killing all 10 crew members, officials said.
The collision happened at 9:32 a.m. at the Lumut Naval Base in Perak, a western state, according to the Navy.
“A video circulating in local media shows several helicopters flying in formation when the rotor of one helicopter clipped another, leading to both aircraft crashing to the ground,” the Navy stated. Local police confirmed the footage’s authenticity.
The victims were confirmed dead at the scene and were taken to the naval base’s military hospital for identification, the Navy added.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the helicopters — a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper — were preparing for a parade to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy, which is scheduled for Saturday.
Efforts to verify the identities of the deceased, all of whom were under 40, are underway, Nordin told reporters. The Navy announced it would investigate the cause of the accident.
