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Key Points

A helicopter en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed near Gaurikund, leaving seven feared dead. The Aryan Aviation-operated chopper faced bad weather, complicating rescue efforts in the rugged terrain. Passengers hailed from Uttarakhand, UP, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, including a child. CM Dhami confirmed the tragedy and deployed disaster response teams for relief operations.

Key Points: Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash Near Kedarnath Leaves 7 Feared Dead

  • Aryan Aviation helicopter crashed near Kedarnath due to bad weather
  • Rescue teams face challenges in remote crash site
  • Passengers from 4 states including a child onboard
  • CM Dhami expresses grief, prays for victims
2 min read

Uttarakhand helicopter crash: Seven passengers onboard helicopter feared dead

Seven feared dead as Aryan Aviation helicopter crashes near Gaurikund amid bad weather; rescue ops face challenges in remote terrain.

"Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. – CM Pushkar Singh Dhami"

Dehradun, June 15

The seven passengers onboard the helicopter that crashed near the forested area of Gaurikund in Uttarakhand early on Sunday morning are feared dead, State Disaster Response Force said.

According to preliminary information, the helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed due to bad weather.

SDRF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel are on the spot carrying out the relief operations in the area have been facing challenges as the site of crash is said to be a difficult and inaccessible area.

According to the statement by UCADA, the helicopter that crashed around 5:20 am today carried six passengers and a pilot. The passengers in the helicopter hailed from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The official statement said, "Today, at around 5:20 am, a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, has been reported to have crashed near Gaurikund. There were six passengers (5 adults and 1 child) and the pilot.The passengers in the helicopter are from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat."

Utttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Aauthority (UCDA) said that the NDRF and SDRF teams have been dispatched to the spot of the crash for rescue operations.

"In view of relief and rescue, NDRF and SDRF teams have been dispatched to the site of the incident," the official statement read.

Inspector General (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop said that the site of the crash was a very remote area.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and prayed for the safety of the travellers.In a post on X, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote, "Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers."Earlier, after the reports of the helicopter going missing surfaced, Uttarakhand ADG Law and Order, Dr V Murugeshan, said that the helicopter that went missing in Gaurikund has crashed.

Intially after reports of the helicopter going missing surfaced, Uttarakhand ADG Law and Order, Dr V Murugeshan, said that the helicopter that went missing in Gaurikund has crashed.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is heartbreaking news. Uttarakhand's terrain is already challenging and helicopter travel becomes risky during monsoon. Authorities should enforce stricter weather monitoring for pilgrim routes. My deepest condolences to the families 🙏
P
Priya M.
Why are we still using old helicopters for pilgrim transport? After so many accidents in Himalayan region, we need better aviation standards. The child passenger makes this especially tragic 💔
A
Arjun S.
Salute to the rescue teams working in such difficult conditions. The Gaurikund area is extremely tough to access. Hope they can recover the bodies soon to give closure to families.
N
Neha T.
This is why I'm scared of helicopter travel in hills. My uncle took one to Kedarnath last year and said it felt very unsafe. Government must audit all aviation companies operating in religious circuits.
V
Vikram J.
The monsoon season brings so many tragedies in our mountains. Maybe we need to reconsider allowing helicopter services during rainy months. Safety should come before tourism revenue.
S
Sunita R.
Heart goes out to all affected families. The passengers were from different states - shows how Kedarnath brings people together from across India. Hope authorities provide proper compensation and support.

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