Ten killed as two Malaysian navy helicopters collide

Helicopter crash
Ten people have been killed after two Malaysian navy helicopters collided mid-air. -AP

Two Malaysian navy helicopters have collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval parade, killing all 10 crew members aboard, the navy says.

The incident occurred at the Lumut naval base in the western state of Perak at 9.32am on Tuesday (0132 GMT), the navy said.

"All victims were confirmed dead at the scene and sent to the Lumut naval base military hospital for identification," the navy said.

A video circulating on local media showed several helicopters flying in formation when one chopper's rotor clipped another before both aircraft crashed to the ground. 

Local police confirmed the footage was genuine.

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

Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the aircraft - a maritime operations helicopter and a Fennec military chopper - were rehearsing for a parade celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Malaysian Navy, due to be held on Saturday.

Efforts were under way to verify the identities of the crew members killed, all of who were younger than 40, Mohamed Khaled told reporters.