10 People Confirmed Dead After Military Helicopters Crash Mid-Air During Parade

• Ten people itragically lost their lives after two navy helicopters collided mid-air during a military rehearsal
• The incident occurred early in the morning in Malaysia, with all victims confirmed dead at the scene and taken to the hospital for identification
• A circulating video showed helicopters flying in formation before one rotor clipped another, causing both aircraft to struggle mid-air before crashing
• The helicopters involved were a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper, engaged in rehearsals for an upcoming military parade

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Perak, Malaysia: Ten people have been confirmed dead after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal.

The navy said the incident occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak in the morning.

They revealed that emergency response teams arrived at the scene to find all occupants of the choppers dead.

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

The HOM (M503-3) helicopter plunged onto the staircase of the Navy Stadium, while the other fell near the Navy Sports Complex’s swimming pool.

How did Malaysian choppers crash

In a video circulating online, several helicopters can be seen flying in formation when one of the choppers’ rotors clipped another.

The two choppers then struggle mid-air to retain stability before the aircraft crashes into the ground.

Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the aircraft, a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper, were rehearsing for an upcoming military parade.

KDF Chief Francis Ogolla involved in chopper accident

In a related incident, the Kenya Defence Forces community was reeling with grief and sadness following the tragic crash of a helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Francis Ogolla.

The chopper went down and burst into flames in the Kaben area of Endo Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet, shortly after departing from Cheptulel Boys Secondary School on Thursday afternoon, April 18.

In the company of Ogolla were other key military officials.

The Elgeyo-Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge said the survivors were airlifted by another KDF aircraft.

According to Mulinge, the aircraft was the first one to take off among the three that were leaving the Cheptulel area.

The officials were conducting a tour to assess the security situation and discuss the potential reopening of schools in the volatile border region between West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.