In a tragic development, two Malaysian Navy helicopters crashed at Lumut naval base in Perak on Tuesday, resulting in the death of all 10 crew members.

According to al JazeeraThe incident occurred when two helicopters taking part in the Navy Day Parade rehearsal collided in mid-air around 9.30 am.

The Malaysian Navy confirmed the death of all 10 people aboard the two helicopters and said the bodies were taken to Lumut Naval Base Military Hospital for identification.

A video broadcast on local media showed several helicopters flying together when the rotor of one helicopter collided with the other before both planes fell to the ground.

Meanwhile, the local police has also confirmed the authenticity of the footage.

The Navy said it would investigate the cause of the accident.

Defense Minister Mohd Khalid Nordin said the aircraft – a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military helicopter – were practicing for a parade celebrating the Royal Malaysian Navy’s 90th anniversary to be held on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, the minister said efforts were underway to verify the identity of the killed crew members, all of whom were under 40 years of age.

According to BBCOne of the helicopters carrying seven people crashed on a running track, while the other helicopter carrying three people crashed into a swimming pool.

Reacting to the incident, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in a post on Twitter, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, saying the country “mourns the heart-wrenching tragedy”.

The incident comes after two crew members of a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed in the sea near Angsa Island off Malaysia last month.

The country has a history of helicopter accidents as two people were killed in a similar incident in 2020 when two helicopters collided with each other.

Earlier, six people, including the then Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Noria Casanon, were killed in a helicopter crash in 2016.

The incident occurred a year after Malaysia’s then ambassador to the United States, Jamaluddin Jarjis, was killed along with four other people after their helicopter crashed in a forest.