TEN people have been killed after two navy helicopters collided mid-air during a parade in Malaysia this morning.
One of the choppers clipped the other’s rotor, sending them both hurtling into the ground in deadly tailspins before smashing into the ground.
4
4
4
Horror footage showed several helicopters flying at full-speed in a tight formation before two break off and crash into each other.
There were no survivors.
The incident took place at 9.30am local time (2.30am BST) at a navy base in the town of Lumut in the western state of Perak.
The helicopters were rehearsing for the navy’s 90th anniversary celebration on the weekend.
read more on world news
“All victims were confirmed dead at the scene and sent to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification,” the navy said.
It added that an investigation would be underway soon into the cause of the accident.
Seven crew members were aboard the AW139 maritime operation helicopter, the navy said.
Three other crew members were on a Fennec lightweight helicopter, manufactured by European multinational defense conglomerate Airbus.
Most read in The Sun
Efforts were underway to verify the identities of the crew members killed, all of whom were below the age of 40.
Local media reported that the AW139 crashed at a sports complex at the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.
It comes just days after two Japanese navy helicopters collided, killing one and leaving seven missing.
A major search was still underway after the SH-60K helicopters lost contact late on Saturday while conducting anti-submarine warfare drills off the Izu Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
A crew member who was recovered early Sunday from the water was later pronounced dead.
Debris and both the choppers’ flight recorders have been found, but there has been no trace of the other seven crew.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
4
Source: Sun
