Seven Killed in Helicopter Crash in India Just Two Days After Air India Disaster
In another devastating incident in India, seven people have been confirmed dead after a helicopter crashed near Gaurikund in the state of Uttarakhand on Sunday morning.
Among the victims were a two-year-old child and the pilot.
Helicopter Was on Pilgrimage Route From Kedarnath
According to Reuters, the Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter, with tail number VT-BKA, had taken off shortly after 05:15 AM local time.
It was transporting pilgrims from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, both significant stops on a well-travelled Hindu pilgrimage route in the Himalayan region.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that five passengers, one child, and one crew member were on board at the time of the crash.
Also Read: WATCH: People Run Away In Ahmedabad After Plane Crash
Authorities Confirm Helicopter Crash Site Near Gaurikund
The CEO of Uttarakhand’s Civil Aviation Department revealed that authorities lost contact with the helicopter around 05:00 AM.
A search and rescue mission was immediately launched, leading to the grim discovery near Gaurikund, a steep and forested area en route from Kedarnath.
“At around 05:00, we got the information that a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham, could not be located,” the official stated.
Rescue Operations and Investigation Underway
Local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other emergency teams were quickly deployed to the scene. The bodies of all seven occupants have since been recovered.
Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, described the crash as “very sad news” in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
He confirmed that a formal investigation has been ordered into the cause of the crash, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) leading the probe.
Second Aviation Tragedy in India in Two Days
This incident follows closely on the heels of a separate aviation disaster in India. Just two days prior, an Air India passenger plane crashed on departure from Ahmedabad airport, killing at least 290 people.
That plane, bound for London, collided with a nearby hostel housing doctors. Images from the scene show the tail of the aircraft jutting out from the mangled remains of the building.