A helicopter providing medical services to remote communities has crashed near an airport in Malaysia’s Sarawak state, with five people on board, authorities said.
A helicopter operated for Malaysia’s “flying doctor service” crashed on Tuesday near an airport on the island of Borneo, authorities have confirmed.
The aircraft was carrying five people, including medical personnel, when the incident occurred near Sarawak’s Long Lellang short take-off and landing airport.
Malaysia’s Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, said the people aboard included the pilot and four staff members of the Health Ministry.
Those on board were a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses, alongside the pilot.
Authorities had not confirmed any deaths or injuries at the time of reporting.
As of now, the status of all crew and passengers as well as the cause of the incident have not yet been determined, the minister said in a statement.
Fire and medical authorities launched search and rescue operations following the crash as efforts continued to establish the condition of everyone aboard.
The Malaysian civil aviation authority said it was notified of the incident near the Long Lellang airport late Tuesday afternoon local time.
The country’s Transport Ministry air accident investigation bureau has commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Officials have yet to release details about what caused the helicopter to go down.
Malaysia’s flying doctor service uses aircraft to provide medical care and emergency services to people living in remote and isolated areas.
Such services are particularly important in parts of Sarawak, where difficult terrain and limited road access can make it challenging for residents of rural communities to reach conventional healthcare facilities.
The helicopter involved in Tuesday’s incident was carrying medical personnel as part of this type of service.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as search and rescue teams establish the condition of the crew and passengers and investigators determine what led to the crash.
The incident comes as aviation and emergency authorities continue efforts to locate and assist those aboard the aircraft.
