Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Expresses Condolences to Families of Helicopter Crash Victims

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, a tragic incident occurred during a training session for the Royal Malaysian Navy's 90th anniversary celebrations. Two Malaysian Armed Forces helicopters, an Agusta Westland AW139 Maritime Operations Helicopter and a Eurocopter Fennec, collided mid-air at the Lumut naval base in Perak, resulting in the deaths of all ten crew members on board.

The incident happened at 9:32 am local time, with the HOM helicopter crashing onto the steps of a stadium and the Fennec helicopter falling near a swimming pool within the military compound. The victims, all below the age of 40, were confirmed dead at the scene.

Malaysian Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. "The Malaysian armed forces will form an investigation board to probe the helicopter collision," he stated, refusing to provide further comment and indicating that the Defence Minister will release a statement.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the incident as a "heart-wrenching tragedy" and a "massive loss for the country." He confirmed that an immediate investigation will be carried out by the Ministry of Defence to determine the cause of the crash.

The Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim, along with the Queen, Raja Zarith Sofiah, also expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, whom they referred to as "national heroes." The King called for a full investigation by the Malaysian Armed Forces to obtain complete information about the incident.

Why this matters: The tragic loss of ten military personnel in a training accident is a significant blow to the Malaysian Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. The incident highlights the risks faced by service members and the importance of thorough investigations to prevent future tragedies.

The Royal Malaysian Navy has set up an 'Investigation Board' to determine the cause of the incident and has requested the public not to circulate any videos to ensure the privacy of the families and the investigation process. The identities of the victims are still being verified, and the nation joins in mourning the loss of these "national heroes."

Key Takeaways

• Two Malaysian military helicopters collided mid-air, killing all 10 crew members.
• Incident occurred during training for Royal Malaysian Navy's 90th anniversary celebrations.
• Armed Forces Chief and Prime Minister expressed condolences, ordered immediate investigation.
• Malaysian King called for a full investigation by the Armed Forces.
• Tragic loss highlights risks faced by service members, need for thorough probes.