Copter tragedy: DPM Zahid extends condolences to victims' families

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) has extended his condolences to the families of the Royal Malaysian Navy personnel who were killed in the helicopter tragedy in Lumut earlier on Tuesday (April 23).

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, hoped that the affected family members would be given strength and patience to cope with the incident.

"I want to express my sadness over the incident. It not only deeply affects the families of the victims but also touches the hearts and feelings of all Malaysians,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ahmad Zahid also hoped that the public would not spread videos of the incident to respect the families' sensitivity and not disrupt the investigation process.

Earlier, the navy confirmed the loss of 10 of its personnel members in the tragedy, which happened at 9.32am, involving seven crew members of the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and three crew members of the Navy Fennec.

It is understood that the incident took place during fly-past training in conjunction with the Navy’s 90th anniversary scheduled early next month.- Bernama