10 killed after two Malaysian navy helicopters collided mid-air

All 10 people aboard two helicopters were killed on Tuesday after both choppers collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade, the navy said in a statement.

The accident occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak at 9.32 a.m. Tuesday morning (0132 GMT), the statement said.

"All victims were confirmed dead at the scene and sent to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification," the navy said.

A video has gone viral on social media which shows several helicopters flying in formation, when one of the choppers' rotor clipped another before both aircraft crashed into the ground. Local police confirmed the footage was genuine.

One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 had seven people on board, which  crashed onto a running track while the other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying the other three victims, crashed into a swimming pool nearby, reported BBC.

The navy said it would carry out an investigation into the cause of the accident. Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the aircraft - a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper - were rehearsing for a parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy, due to be held on Saturday, reported The Economic Times.

The minister also added that efforts were underway to verify the identities of the crew members killed, all of whom were below the age of 40.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also expressed condolences in a post on X. "Condolences to all the families of the victims and prayers for strength to face this calamity," he wrote.