- विज्ञापन -
Gaurikund, June 14: A helicopter crashed in Gaurikund near Kedarnath on Sunday morning. 7 people, including the pilot, have died in this. A child is also among the dead. The helicopter was going from Gaurikund to Kedarnath.
The helicopter crashed in the forests of Gaurikund. Initial information has revealed that the accident happened due to bad weather. Relief and rescue work has been started. The rescue team is also being sent from Gaurikund. The helicopter belongs to Aryan Aviation Company.
The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m., and seven people, including the pilot, were on board at the time of the crash. According to initial reports, five individuals lost their lives in the accident. Further details are awaited. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) dispatched to the crash site.
It is reported that the helicopter crashed into a forested area above Gauri Mai Khark. Officials say poor visibility and adverse weather played a key role in the crash. SDRF teams are now moving toward the spot to assist in recovery efforts.
“The SDRF team reached the site of incident Jorsi (above Gaurikund) — Crashed helicopter completely burnt, all 7 bodies recovered by rescue team. SDRF, NDRF and District Police engaged in rescue work,” read a post from the SDRF on X.
A statement from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) confirmed that the victims included six pilgrims — five adults and an infant — belonging to different states such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Those who lost their lives in the crash have been identified as Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan, a pilot from Jaipur; Vikram Rawat, an employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC); Vinod Devi and her granddaughter Trushti Singh, pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh; and a family of three from Maharashtra — Rajkumar Jaiswal, his wife Shradha Jaiswal, and their daughter Kashi Jaiswal.
In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken precautionary steps by reducing the frequency of helicopter services to Char Dham. The agency is also conducting enhanced surveillance of helicopter operations in the region and is reviewing all procedures for potential safety upgrades. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has been tasked with investigating the cause of the crash.
Preliminary reports suggest that poor visibility and harsh weather conditions in the mountainous terrain played a critical role in the accident. Despite the difficult terrain and thick forest cover at the crash location, rescue and relief operations are being conducted at full scale. Teams from the NDRF and SDRF are continuing efforts in the challenging conditions to ensure the complete recovery of mortal remains and evidence.
The tragic crash has once again raised concerns about the safety of helicopter operations in Uttarakhand’s treacherous high-altitude zones, particularly during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra.
