KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia have expressed their condolences to the families of the pilot and Ministry of Health (MOH) personnel who died in a helicopter crash in Sarawak, yesterday.

Their Majesties also prayed that the entire family and next of kin of the victims be given strength and fortitude in facing the loss of their loved ones.

“We extend our Al-Fatihah and condolences to all members of the victims’ families. Their services and sacrifices will always be remembered,” said the King and Queen through a post on the Facebook of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar today.

Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in a statement announced that a BO-105 helicopter carrying five individuals including the pilot crashed near the Long Lellang Short Runway Airport (STOLport), Ulu Baram, about 929 kilometres from Kuching, Sarawak.

CAAM received information about the incident involving the helicopter from the Flight Information Service at 3.58pm.

The Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter that took off from Miri was carrying five victims, consisting of pilot Captain Zainol Afiq Bee Sham, medical officer Dr Ainul Baraah Kamaruddin, an assistant medical officer (PPP) and two nurses, all of whom were on official duty. — Bernama