Rehearsals turn tragic as Malaysian Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

The tragic incident unfolded as two Malaysian military helicopters collided midair during a routine training session. This unfortunate collision resulted in the loss of all ten individuals on board the helicopters. (Photo credit: AP)

The accident occurred during a crucial rehearsal session for the upcoming 90th-anniversary celebration of the Royal Malaysian Navy. This rehearsal was taking place at a naval base situated in the northern region of Perak state, Malaysia. (Photo credit: Twitter)

"All victims were confirmed dead on site," the navy stated in a concise statement, mentioning that the remains of the deceased have been transported to the hospital for identification purposes. (Photo credit: AP)

The AW139 helicopter reportedly crashed at a sports complex located within the naval base, while the Fennec helicopter collided with a nearby swimming pool. The impact of the collision left both aircraft mangled beyond recognition, further emphasizing the severity of the tragedy. (Photo credit: AP)

The helicopters involved in the collision were identified as the AW139 maritime operation helicopter and the Fennec lightweight helicopter. The AW139, which was carrying seven crew members at the time of the incident, is manufactured by AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of the Italian defense contractor, Leonardo. (Photo credit: AP)

Following the tragic collision, efforts were immediately initiated to identify the victims. All the crew members who lost their lives were confirmed deceased at the crash site. Their remains were subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for identification purposes. It was particularly poignant that all the victims were young, with each of them being under the age of 40. (Photo credit: AP)

In the wake of the incident, a video began circulating on various social media platforms, capturing the harrowing moment of the collision. The footage depicted several helicopters flying in close formation before one of the aircraft veered off course, ultimately colliding with the rotor of the other helicopter. The authenticity of this video was confirmed by a local police officer, who, while speaking anonymously due to media regulations, verified its accuracy. (Photo credit: AP)

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim expressed profound sorrow over the "heart and soul-wrenching tragedy" that befell the nation. In response to the incident, the prime minister announced that the Royal Malaysian Navy would promptly initiate an investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident. This declaration underlined the government's commitment to uncovering the truth behind the devastating collision.