Yesterday, Malaysians were left reeling with horror after a chilling clip showing two aircraft colliding into each other mid-air before crashing to the ground surfaced on social media.
Tragically, it was reported that all 10 passengers onboard the two aircraft were killed in the accident, leading to an outpouring of sorrow and condolences from the government and Malaysians alike.
Navy’s 90th anniversary event called off
Following the crash, defence minister Khaled Nordin said that the Royal Malaysian Navy’s 90th anniversary celebrations scheduled to be held on Saturday (Apr 27) has since been cancelled.
The celebration has been cancelled. We will organise prayers and a tahlil ceremony instead.
“This is also in line with the wishes of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is the navy’s captain-in-chief,” he said as quoted by FMT.
Aftermath of Lumut helicopter crash
In a statement by the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), the helicopter crash unfolded during a flypast exercise at TLDM’s base in Lumut at around 9.32am yesterday, where it involved an M503-3 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and a Fennec helicopter (M502-6).
FMT also reported that aside from the 10 victims killed in the crash, another officer suffered light injuries after being hit by debris at the naval base’s swimming pool.
TLDM also released the names of those who lost their lives to the crash.
Those onboard the M503-3 HOM:
- Squadron 503 commanding officer Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli
- Lieutenant Commander Wan Rezaudeen Kamal Wan Zainal Abidin
- Lieutenant Commander Mohammad Amirulfaris Mohamad Marzukhi
- Warrant Officer II TLR (AQM) Muhammad Faisol Tamadun
- Warrant Officer II TNL Noorfarahimi Mohd Saedy
- Petty Officer TNL Noor Rahiza Anuar
- Able Seaman I JJM Joanna Felicia Rohna
Those onboard the Fennec M502-6:
- Squadron 502 commanding officer Commander Muhamad Amir Mohamad
- Lieutenant Sivasutan Thanjappan
- Warrant Officer II TMK Mohd Shahrizan Mohd Termizi
Following the crash, friends of the victims have dedicated touching tributes to them to express their sorrow:
