Horror moment two navy helicopter crash mid-air with 10 feared dead

At least 10 people have been tragically killed after two navy helicopters collided mid-air in a horror crash.

The helicopters were rehearsing for a naval parade in Malaysia when the disaster struck. The practice flights were being held at a naval base in the country's northern Perak state, as part of the navy's 90th anniversary celebration next month.

Emergency crews raced to the scene about 9.30am local time (2.30am BST) in the town of Lumut, just northwest of the nation's capital Kuala Lumpur. A probe has been launched as investigators try and piece together how the smash happened, The Mirror reports.

A statement on the Royal Malaysian Navy's Facebook read: "Condolences to all the families of the victims of the accident involving two TLDM helicopters at TLDM Lumut Base today,"

"May the victim's families be given the strength to deal with this tragedy.

"All victims were confirmed to dead on site," the navy's said in another statement. The remains have since been sent to a hospital to be identified."

Distressing video footage shared on social media shows both helicopters drop from the sky. The chilling clip, taken near a swimming pool, appeared to show one of the helicopters passing below the other, before its blades clipped the one above.

Debris can then be seen scattered across the sky. The bystander who filmed the unfolding tragedy could then be seen running away from the falling helicopters. In the distance several other helicopters could be seen taking part in the rehearsal.

Another harrowing video shows the rehearsal ongoing with multiple helicopters overhead and naval officers carrying out a routine on the ground. Just moments later the helicopters could be seen crashing beyond a row of palm trees on the base.

It was reported seven crew members were aboard the AW139 maritime operation helicopter. The aircraft is manufactured by AgustaWestland, subsidiary of the Italian defence contractor Leonardo.

The three other crew members were on the Fennec lightweight helicopter made by the European multinational defence conglomerate Airbus.

Local media reported the AW139 crashed above a sports complex at the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.

The Malaysian Navy have been contacted for comment.

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