KUALA LUMPUR: People have been urged to not spread any speculation about the mid-air crash involving two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopters this morning.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the investigation of the incident should be entirely left to the authorities.
"Do not spread any speculation on the incident and fully entrust the authorities to conduct the investigation (of the crash).
"I (also) request all parties to respect the victims' families by refraining from sharing any images and videos of the incident so as to respect the sensitivities of the families," he said in a statement.
Earlier, Fadillah represented the government and visited the crash location to meet with RMN's top leadership and all 10 victims' next-of-kins.
"I was instructed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to immediately go to the crash location and meet the navy's top leadership, as well as to pay respects to the families of the victims.
"On behalf of the prime minister and the Madani government, I extended my condolences to RMN and the victims' families who were at the hospital.
"Personally, I am also saddened by the incident and hope that all of the victims' families will be patient and given the strength to face this heavy trial."
Earlier today, an Agusta Westland AW139 Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM) and a Eurocopter Fennec collided during a mid-air manoeuvre during flypast training for the RMN's 90th anniversary celebrations.
Following the collision, the AW139 HOM helicopter crashed at the steps of the Navy Stadium while the Fennec crashed near the Navy Sports Complex pool.
The tragedy claimed the lives of all 10 crew members on board both helicopters.
Following the incident, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin said the planned celebrations had been cancelled.
The event will instead be replaced with a 'doa selamat', as per a decree by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also the RMN captain-in-chief.
