Malaysia navy helicopters collide in mid-air, killing all 10 onboard (video)

Two Malaysian navy helicopters collided mid-air during a parade rehearsal, resulting in the deaths of all 10 crew members on board, as reported by the navy.

The incident took place at the Lumut naval base in Perak state at 9:32 am on Tuesday (0132 GMT), according to a navy statement.

“All victims were confirmed dead at the scene and taken to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification,” the statement added.

Local media shared a video showing multiple helicopters flying together, with one helicopter's rotor clipping another before both crashed.

Local police verified the authenticity of the footage, and Malaysia’s navy announced an investigation into the accident's cause.

The helicopters involved were a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec with three crew members and an AW139 maritime operation helicopter carrying seven people, the navy specified.

The AW139 is manufactured by AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of Italian defense contractor Leonardo, while the Fennec is produced by the European multinational defense conglomerate Airbus.

Reports from local media indicated that the AW139 crashed at a sports complex within the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.

Photographs depicted severe damage to the Fennec amidst wreckage on the naval base stadium track, with rescue teams present along with various debris.

Defense minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin disclosed that the helicopters were practicing for a parade celebrating the Royal Malaysian Navy's 90th anniversary, scheduled for Saturday.

Efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the deceased crew members, all under 40 years old, Nordin informed reporters.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended condolences to the victims' families, mentioning that an immediate investigation would be conducted by the Ministry of Defense and Royal Malaysian Navy to determine the crash's cause.

Helicopter incidents are not uncommon in Malaysia, with a recent coast guard helicopter crash in the Strait of Malacca having no fatalities last month. In 2016, a deputy minister was among those who died in a Eurocopter AS350 crash in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.