Brief:
- 2 Malaysian Military Helicopters Collide During a parade rehearsal in Malaysia on Tuesday, two helicopters collided in midair.
- A video shared by local media depicted one helicopter's rotors hitting the other aircraft.
- According to local officials, the crash resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, all of whom were naval personnel.
2 Malaysian military helicopters collide, 10 Killed
Two Malaysian military helicopters met a catastrophic fate on Tuesday during a rehearsal for the navy's forthcoming 90th-anniversary celebration at a naval base in northern Perak state. The collision led to the demise of all 10 individuals on board and left a swimmer in a nearby pool injured, authorities confirmed.
Malaysia military helicopters collide mid-air, killing all 10 crew on board https://t.co/gh8QhrRYhl
— TIME (@TIME) April 23, 2024
Source: Twitter/TIME
Collision and Fallout
Eyewitness accounts and a circulating video on social media painted a grim picture of the incident. The footage captured multiple helicopters flying at low altitudes in formation before one veered sideways, colliding with another, resulting in both aircraft plummeting to the ground.
An anonymous local police officer, despite lacking authorization to speak to the media, verified the authenticity of the footage.
Source: YouTube/OneIndiaNews
The aftermath of the collision was devastating, with both helicopters severely damaged beyond recognition. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover the bodies of the victims, identified as three women and seven men aged between 26 and 41.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim conveyed the nation's grief over the "deeply saddening tragedy" and emphasized the navy's commitment to promptly investigate the cause of the incident.
Details and Responses
The two helicopters involved in the collision were identified as an AW139 maritime operations helicopter, manufactured by AgustaWestland, and a Fennec lightweight helicopter produced by Airbus.
Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced the cancellation of the upcoming anniversary celebration, replacing it with Friday prayers dedicated to the victims.
Khaled disclosed that the helicopters were part of a group of seven conducting rehearsals when the collision occurred.
One helicopter crashed onto an empty sports field, while the other plunged into a nearby swimming pool, injuring a swimmer with debris from the aircraft.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities reiterated that all victims were pronounced dead at the crash site, with their remains transferred to the hospital for identification.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledged a thorough investigation into the incident, highlighting the need to ascertain the cause to prevent future tragedies.
The tragic collision serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in military operations and underscores the importance of stringent safety measures.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives, questions surrounding the circumstances leading to the accident linger, awaiting answers from the investigation.
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