KUALA LUMPUR — In a devastating incident on Tuesday, two Malaysian military helicopters collided midair during a training exercise at a naval base in Perak state, leading to the deaths of all 10 individuals on board.

The helicopters were part of a rehearsal for the upcoming 90th-anniversary celebration of the Malaysian navy when they crashed, the navy confirmed in a statement.

Authorities at the scene declared all victims deceased, and their remains were subsequently transported to a hospital for identification.

The helicopters were severely damaged, and recovery teams worked meticulously to retrieve the bodies from the wreckage. Local police reported that the casualties included three women and seven men.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed profound grief over the tragedy, describing it as "heart and soul-wrenching." He assured the public that the navy would promptly investigate to determine the cause of this tragic accident. — Agencies