5 dead after helicopter crash in East Malaysia

Four passengers and a pilot were killed Tuesday when a helicopter crashed in Malaysia's eastern Sarawak state, according to authorities.

The passengers were Health Ministry personnel, including a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses, all of whom were on official duty, traveling aboard a Flying Doctor Service helicopter, state-run news agency Bernama reported.

It crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport.

Galong Luang, a Miri Division resident and chairman of the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee, confirmed that all of the victims on board were killed, citing reports from the Fire and Rescue Department and the Health Ministry.

The helicopter had departed from Miri.

Additional details about the crash and the identities of the victims were not available.