Malaysia Helicopter Crash Kills 6, Including Former Envoy to US

A helicopter crashed outside the Malaysian capital late Saturday, killing all six people onboard, including a lawmaker who was a former ambassador to the United States.

Witnesses said the helicopter exploded in mid-air before it crashed to the ground in the town of Semnyih outside Kuala Lumpur as it was returning from northern Kuantan town.

Lawmaker Jamaludding Jarjis, who was Malaysia's ambassador to the U.S. from 2009 to 2012, was among those onboard. The victims also included an aide to Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The bodies of all six people have been recovered, the Transport Ministry said.

Officials said an investigation into the cause of the crash was under way.

Some material for this report came from Reuters.