Uttarakhand: Seven Killed In Helicopter Crash Near Gaurikund In Rudraprayag District

Seven people were killed after a helicopter ferrying them from Kedarnath temple to Guptkashi crashed into a forested area in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, NDTV reported.

The Aryan Aviation chopper crashed between Gaurikund and Sonprayag during its brief 10-minute journey.

The dead include six passengers and the pilot.

The crash took place around 5.20 am, with seven people on board — five adult pilgrims, one child, and the pilot — according to a statement by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA).

The pilgrims hailed from four states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

The crash was reported after locals, who were out to collect fodder for their cattle, spotted the missing helicopter.

According to preliminary information, bad weather is being considered as the possible cause of this accident.

SDRF and NDRF teams have reached the spot, and begun the relief and rescue operations.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the helicopter crash.

"The extremely distressing news of a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district has been received. SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations," Dhami said in a post on X, NDTV reported.

Dhami has also issued strict instructions regarding helicopter operations in the state.

Dhami has directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee of technical experts, which will prepare the SOP after a thorough review of all the technical and safety aspects of helicopter operations.

The CM has asked officials to prepare strict SOP for operations of helicopter services in the state, in which a complete check of the technical condition of the helicopter and taking accurate weather information before the flight should be made mandatory, news agency ANI reported.

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