KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has called on the public not to share clips of this morning's tragic helicopter crash in Lumut, Perak.
Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said this was important not only to respect the sensitivity of the families, but also to avoid disrupting investigations into the incident.
Khaled expressed his condolences to the victims' next of kin.
"I would like to express my condolences to the victims' families over the incident that occurred during the Royal Malaysian Navy's anniversary celebration rehearsal.
"I hope the public will not share clips of the incident to respect the sensitivity of the victims' families and, at the same time, not disrupt investigations by the authorities.
"The armed forces chief and I will go to Lumut to observe and obtain on-ground information and reports of the incident," he said after the Defence Ministry's Hari Raya celebratio here.
Earlier today, two armed forces helicopters crashed following a mid-air collision over the naval base in Lumut.
All 10 crew members on board both helicopters perished.
The helicopter, an AgustaWestland AW139 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and a Eurocopter Fennec, collided during a mid-air manoeuvre in a flypast training for the RMN's 90th anniversary celebrations.
Following the mid-air collision, the AW139 HOM helicopter crashed at the steps of the Navy Stadium. while the Fennec crashed near the pool of the Navy Sports Complex.
The RMN has established an investigation board to probe the incident.