KUCHING: The public has been urged not to spread unverified claims or speculation surrounding the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) helicopter crash near Long Lellang, Ulu Baram, which claimed five lives on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Fact-checking platform MyCheck Malaysia said several details surrounding the crash have yet to be officially confirmed and cautioned social media users against treating circulating claims as fact.
As of 4 pm yesterday (Sept 9), MyCheck said there had been no official confirmation on the technical cause of the crash, the exact time the helicopter went down, its precise coordinates or the phase of flight when the incident occurred.
It said there was also no official information confirming whether the fire seen in a video circulating online began before or after the failure which led to the crash.
Other details yet to be officially established include the aircraft’s serial number, year of manufacture, maintenance records and the company currently contracted as the aircraft operator.
“Do not treat rumours as facts. Obtain information from official and verified sources,” MyCheck said in a social media post.
It also urged the public to refrain from speculating or sharing information that had not been verified.
The platform reminded social media users that families affected by the tragedy were also dealing with the loss of their loved ones.
“Behind every report of a tragedy is a family waiting for certainty. Respect their privacy and feelings,” it said.
The warning comes amid widespread discussion on social media following the crash, with photographs, videos and various claims about the helicopter and circumstances surrounding the incident being circulated online.
The cause of the crash has yet to be officially determined, with the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Transport Ministry responsible for investigating the incident.
MyCheck stressed that until findings are established through official channels, the public should exercise caution when encountering claims surrounding the tragedy.
