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Malaysia

In a tragic incident, two Malaysian navy helicopters collided mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval parade, resulting in the loss of all 10 crew members on board. The Malaysian navy confirmed the devastating event, stating that the collision occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak at 9:32 a.m. on Tuesday morning.

The navy's statement indicated that all victims were declared deceased at the scene and were subsequently transported to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification purposes. A circulating video on local media depicted several helicopters flying in formation, capturing the moment one helicopter's rotor clipped another, leading to the fatal crash. Local authorities confirmed the authenticity of the footage.

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin revealed that the aircraft involved were a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper. These helicopters were engaged in rehearsals for a parade commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy, scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Mohamed Khaled expressed condolences and stated that efforts were underway to confirm the identities of the crew members who lost their lives. He noted that all crew members were below the age of 40.

The Malaysian navy has announced plans to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine its cause. This unfortunate event serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with military operations and the sacrifices made by servicemen and women in the line of duty.