'Soul-wrenching tragedy': Ten people killed in Malaysian military helicopter crash

The moments before two helicopters collide during a Malaysian navy training session

Ten people have died in a military helicopter crash in Malaysia, the country's navy said.

The two helicopters collided during a training session in northern Perak state on Tuesday, for the navy's 90th anniversary celebration next month.

"All victims were confirmed dead on site," it said, adding that their remains were sent to the hospital to be identified.

Rescue workers sifted through the debris to find the bodies, which included three women and seven men aged between 26 and 41, authorities said.

Local media reported one of the aircraft crashed at a sports complex at the naval base.

The other plunged into a nearby swimming pool, leaving one swimmer with arm injuries from the falling debris, Malaysia's Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said.

A video on social media, which is claimed to be of the incident, showed several helicopters flying low in a formation.

The footage then shows one of the helicopters veer sideways and clip the rotor of another helicopter, causing both to fall to the ground.

There were seven crew members on the AW139 maritime operation helicopter, the navy said.

That aircraft is produced by AgustaWestland, which is a subsidiary of the Italian defence contractor Leonardo.

Three other crew members were on a Fennec lightweight helicopter, manufactured by European multinational defence conglomerate Airbus.

The navy said it will launch an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the nation mourned over the “heart and soul-wrenching tragedy.”

He has cancelled the anniversary celebration, which was due to take place this Saturday, will be cancelled and replaced with Friday prayers for the victims.

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