Status of 4 healthcare workers, pilot in chopper crash unknown, says minister

The four passengers comprised a medical officer, an assistant medical officer and two nurses, he said.

“The ministry is currently contacting their next of kin to provide support,” he said in a statement.

Earlier today, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) confirmed that the helicopter crashed near the Long Lellang STOLport.

The helicopter was operating a Flying Doctor Service flight with five people on board, including the pilot.

Dzulkefly also advised the public against speculating about the incident or sharing unverified information.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Sarawak police as saying that search and rescue operations were still ongoing.

Sarawak police also said it would take 10 hours from Marudi to travel to the scene of the incident and they could not fly there due to the haze.

The police added that the search and rescue efforts currently depended on the villagers in the vicinity of the crash.