KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 23:
Two Malaysian military helicopters collided midair and crashed during a training session on Tuesday, killing all 10 people on board, the Navy said.
The helicopters were rehearsing at a Naval base in northern Perak state for the Navy’s 90th anniversary celebration next month when the accident occurred, the Navy said in a brief statement.
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“All victims were confirmed dead on site,” it said, adding that the remains have been sent to the hospital to be identified.
A video circulating on social media showed several helicopters flying low in a formation. One of the aircraft veered sideways and clipped the rotor of another helicopter, causing both to plunge and crash. A local police officer who declined to be named because he isn’t authorised to speak to the media confirmed that the video footage is genuine.
The choppers were mangled beyond recognition. Rescue workers shifted through the debris to find the bodies. The victims included three women and seven men, police said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the nation mourned over the “heart and soul-wrenching tragedy” and that the Navy will immediately carry out an investigation to determine what caused the accident. (PTI)
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