Kedarnath (Uttarakhand): Seven people including the pilot and six pilgrims died in a chopper crash in Kedarnath on Tuesday morning. The chopper was flying to Guptakashi from Kedarnath and crashed near Jangalchatti.
Seven people including four males and three women were killed in the mishap. The ill-fated helicopter was carrying Kedarnath pilgrims from Phata and crashed during the morning hours. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered a detailed probe into the crash.
"Seven people, including one pilot and six passengers, who were travelling onboard the helicopter which crashed have died in the incident," said Abhinav Kumar, Special Principal Secretary to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
According to DGCA, Aryan Aviation Bell-407 helicopter VT-RPN took off from Kedarnathji Dham for GuptKashi. The weather was cloudy over Garud Chatti. In a valley near Garud Chatti, a loud noise was heard and the helicopter caught fire.
After getting the information regarding the incident, the police, as well as State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams rushed to the crash site to carry out the search and rescue operation.
"The helicopter crash in Kedarnath is extremely unfortunate. We are in touch with the State government to ascertain the magnitude of the loss, and are constantly monitoring the situation," union aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted. President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah among others offered condolences over the incident.
Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ordered a probe into the incident. “Very sad news has been received about the casualties of some people in the unfortunate helicopter crash at Garuda Chatti near Kedarnath. The SDRF and district administration teams have reached the spot for relief and rescue work. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into this tragic incident," he tweeted.
C Ravi Shankar, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Uttarakhand civil aviation development authority (UCADA), at a press briefing said: “The weather conditions were bad in the area. The investigation will reveal what exactly happened there. Pilots also have to see safety aspects while flying when weather conditions or visibility conditions are bad. District magistrate Rudraprayag has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Chopper operations in the Kedarnath Dham have been stopped till further orders."
