Malaysia Navy Helicopter Crash-Mid-Air Collision Claims 10 Lives
Tragedy struck during a routine training session on Tuesday when two Malaysian military helicopters collided mid-air, claiming the lives of all 10 crew members on board, as confirmed by the country’s rescue agency.
The incident occurred during a flypast rehearsal at the Lumut naval stadium, in preparation for the navy fleet’s upcoming open day celebrations in May. Footage shared online captured several helicopters flying in formation, moments before disaster struck.
In a horrifying turn of events, one of the helicopters clipped the rear rotor of another, sending both aircraft spiraling into a tailspin before crashing to the ground. The helicopters involved in the collision were identified as a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec and an AgustaWestland AW139, according to the rescue agency.
Photographs from the scene depict the devastating aftermath, with the Eurocopter model heavily mangled amidst wreckage on the naval base stadium track. Rescue personnel can be seen attending to the scene, surrounded by debris scattered across the area. Meanwhile, the AgustaWestland helicopter crashed in the vicinity of the naval base’s swimming pool area.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, acknowledging the profound sorrow felt by the nation in the wake of the tragic incident. He assured that an immediate investigation would be conducted by the Ministry of Defense, with a particular focus on the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), to determine the cause of the crash.
Unfortunately, incidents involving helicopters are not uncommon in Malaysia. Just last month, a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed in the Strait of Malacca, fortunately resulting in no fatalities. However, the nation has experienced similar tragedies in the past, such as in 2016 when a Eurocopter AS350 crash in the Malaysian state of Sarawak claimed the lives of several individuals, including a deputy minister.
As Malaysia mourns the loss of the 10 brave souls who perished in this latest helicopter tragedy, the country remains united in grief and resolved to ensure that every effort is made to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future.
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