Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: 7 dead as chopper carrying pilgrims crashes near Gaurikund

A helicopter carrying seven people on board and which was on its way to Gaurikund in Uttarakhand, crashed on Sunday morning, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) said.

The incident took place at around 5:20 am when the chopper, with six passengers- five adults and one child and the pilot, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, crashed near Gaurikund.

Inspector General (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop said that the site of the crash was a very remote area
Police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have rushed to the spot, he said

According to UCADA, the passengers in the helicopter hail from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X, "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."

The DGCA said that, in light of the crash, the frequencies of helicopter operations to Char Dham would be reduced as a precautionary measure.
Enhanced surveillance and operational reviews are also being carried out by DGCA.

"Today, Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter VT-BKA operating flight on sector Shri Kedarnath ji- Aryan Helipad, Guptkanshi, was involved in an accident. There were five passengers, one infant and one crew member on board. The helicopter took off at 05:19 hours for Guptkanshi and crashed near Gaurikund," DGCA said providing details of the crash.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Department (UCADA), Sonika, stated that helicopter shuttle services in the area had been closed given the ongoing relief operations and weather conditions in the valley .
Sonika further stated that the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) will reach the site soon.

"Since the rescue operation is underway and seeing the weather conditions in the valley, our shuttle services have been closed. Almost all the helicopters are involved in the rescue operation. DM and SSP will also reach the site soon," Sonika told ANI.

"At around 5:30 AM, we got the information that a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, could not be located. After some time, it was learnt that it had crashed near Gaurikund. Rescue operation is underway, SDRF teams have reached the spot. A total of 6 passengers and one pilot were on board the helicopter..." she further said.

All seven people onboard the helicopter, including the pilot, that crashed near the forested area of Gaurikund early today are feared dead, the State Disaster Response Force said.

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

(With inputs from ANI)