At least 10 people have lost their lives following a devastating midair collision between two Malaysian navy helicopters during a parade rehearsal, local authorities confirmed. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning and was captured in distressing footage posted by Malaysian media.

The Royal Malaysian Navy released a statement acknowledging the tragic event, stating that a maritime operation helicopter and a Fennec helicopter collided at the Lumut base at 9.32 a.m. local time. Tragically, seven crew members on board the maritime operation helicopter and three on the Fennec helicopter lost their lives in the crash.

The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia reported that both helicopters were participating in flight training for a ceremonial parade. Firefighters swiftly responded to the scene, deploying 21 personnel from two stations. Unfortunately, all victims, who were naval staff, were declared deceased by base army hospital staff.

Authorities have shared photographs of the crash site, revealing the destructive aftermath. One helicopter can be seen landed in a track and field training area, with its body crumpled and badly damaged.

The Royal Malaysian Navy has been utilizing the Fennec, a lightweight French-made attack helicopter, for several decades. According to available resources, the navy's fleet includes a 36-foot-long Fennec helicopter launched in 2004. These helicopters can be valued at around $5 million in the commercial market.

The other helicopter involved in the tragic collision was a Leonardo AW139, manufactured by Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland. Typically used for transportation purposes, the AW139 can range in price from $5 million to $10 million on the commercial market. Notably, a variant of the AW139 used by the US Air Force, the MH-139 Grey Wolf, costs more than $39 million per unit.

The AW139, which can accommodate up to four crew members, was introduced into the Malaysian navy fleet with the inauguration of three of these helicopters in 2004.

In response to the incident, the Malaysian navy has announced plans to establish an investigative board to determine the cause of the tragic collision.

This devastating midair collision serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by military personnel during training exercises, with a somber outcome that has deeply affected the Malaysian navy and the nation at large.