Uttarakhand: A devastating helicopter crash in Uttarakhand's Kedarghati region has left seven people dead, with heart-wrenching visuals emerging from the crash site above the forests of Gaurikund. The helicopter, reportedly operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, was en route between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan when it went down and caught fire amid poor visibility and challenging weather conditions.
According to Nandan Singh Rajwar, the Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer, the crash occurred in a densely forested area where heavy fog and low visibility likely played a role. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) confirmed that the crash site is extremely remote, complicating access for emergency personnel.
Despite the odds, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were quickly dispatched to the site and have since recovered all seven bodies from the wreckage. Images from the scene show the helicopter completely burnt, with only a charred frame remaining.
Here are some visuals from the scene:
Uttarakhand Police shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) with photos from the crash site, saying, “Helicopter crash on Shri Kedarnath Yatra route. Relief and rescue teams have reached the spot and are engaged in operations. The crashed helicopter was completely burnt. All seven passengers’ bodies have been recovered by the rescue team. Our heartfelt tribute to the deceased.”
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also took to X, confirming the tragedy and confirming that rescue and relief operations are underway, with all necessary agencies involved. He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured that an investigation into the cause would follow.
The incident has cast a shadow over the ongoing Kedarnath pilgrimage, raising concerns about air safety in the mountainous region, particularly during monsoons. This tragedy comes close on the heels of the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed over 240 lives.
