Malaysian Navy Helicopters Collide During Training, Killing 10 Crew Members

Two Royal Malaysian Navy helicopters collided during a training exercise at the Lumut naval base in Perak on April 23, resulting in the deaths of all 10 crew members on board. The incident occurred at 9:32 am local time as the helicopters, an AgustaWestland AW-139 and a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec, were rehearsing for the Navy's 90th anniversary celebration scheduled for April 27.

The AW139, carrying seven crew members, crashed on the stairs at the Navy stadium, while the Fennec helicopter with three crew members crashed into the swimming pool in the sports complex. There were no survivors found at the crash site. The victims, who were all under 40 years old, were confirmed dead at the scene and their bodies were sent to the Lumut Military Hospital.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) activated its Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (KLARCC) at 10:20 am to coordinate the rescue operations. The Navy has stated that an investigation board will be set up to probe the incident.

Why this matters: The tragic accident highlights the risks involved in military training exercises and the importance of safety protocols. The loss of 10 young lives has deeply affected the Malaysian Armed Forces community and the nation as a whole.

The Malaysian government, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and King Al-Sultan Abdullah, have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. The Prime Minister has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The public has been asked not to disseminate the video of the incident out of respect for the victims' families and to avoid interfering with the investigation process. "The two helicopters were involved in a crash during a training mission in conjunction with the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy," Defense Minister Mohamad Hasan said in a statement.

Key Takeaways

• Two Royal Malaysian Navy helicopters collided during training, killing all 10 crew.
• The incident occurred at Lumut naval base, with one helicopter crashing on stairs, the other in pool.
• CAAM activated rescue coordination center, investigation board to probe the accident.
• Tragic accident highlights risks in military training, loss of young lives deeply affects nation.
• Government, leaders express condolences, order thorough investigation to determine cause.