Ten dead as Navy helicopters collide mid-air in Malaysia

Ten people were killed when two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for the Royal Malaysian Navy’s parade.

Video released by local media showed one of the helicopters clipping the rotor of the other before both helicopters crashed to the ground.

The incident occurred at 09:30 local time (02:30 BST) in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a naval base.

There are no known survivors.

“All the victims were confirmed dead on the spot and their bodies have been sent to [Lumut] “We will carry out identification at the military hospital,” the Royal Malaysian Navy said.

It added that a committee would be set up to investigate the cause of the incident.

One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 with seven people on board, is believed to have crashed on the runway.

The other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying three other victims, crashed into a nearby swimming pool.

The state’s fire and rescue service said they received an alert about the incident at 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT).

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “the nation mourns this heartbreaking and soul-rending tragedy.”

“My condolences to all the families of the victims and prayers for their strength to face this disaster,” he said.

In March this year, a Malaysian Coast Guard helicopter crashed into the sea near the Malaysian island of Angsa during a training flight.

The pilot, co-pilot and two passengers on board were found and rescued by fishermen.