Kuala lumpur: Five individuals, consisting of four passengers and a pilot, tragically lost their lives when a helicopter crashed in Malaysia's eastern Sarawak state. The incident occurred near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport, as confirmed by local authorities.

According to Anadolu Agency, the passengers aboard the ill-fated helicopter were personnel from the Health Ministry. They included a medical officer, an assistant medical officer, and two nurses, all of whom were on duty with the Flying Doctor Service. The helicopter had taken off from Miri before meeting its tragic end.

Galong Luang, a resident of Miri Division and chairman of the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee, confirmed the fatalities. He cited reports from the Fire and Rescue Department, alongside the Health Ministry, affirming that there were no survivors from the crash.

Efforts are underway to determine additional details about the crash, but the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed.