Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], June 15 (ANI): All seven people aboard an Aryan Aviation helicopter, including the pilot, were killed in a tragic crash near the forested area of Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district early Sunday morning, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) confirmed.
The helicopter, en route from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, crashed at approximately 5:30 AM. The deceased have been identified as Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39), pilot, resident of Jaipur; Vikram Rawat (47), a Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) representative, resident of Rasi; Vinod Devi (66), resident of Uttar Pradesh; Trishti Singh (19), resident of Uttar Pradesh; Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), resident of Gujarat; Shraddha Rajkumar Jaiswal, resident of Maharashtra; and Kashi (2 years old), resident of Maharashtra.
SDRF Commander Arpan Yadav led a swift and coordinated rescue operation, despite challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions. The crash site, located in a dense and remote forest, made rescue efforts particularly difficult. Teams from SDRF, NDRF, and local police collaborated to recover the bodies, which are now being brought to accessible roadways for further procedures.
The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee mourned the loss of their employee, Vikram Rawat. BKTC spokesperson Harish Gaur said employees across temple offices gathered to pay their respects.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level virtual meeting from the CM residence to assess the situation. Key officials present included the Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Secretary, CEO of UCADA, Garhwal Commissioner, and others.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead the investigation, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA also announced a reduction in helicopter operations to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites as a safety measure, citing enhanced surveillance and operational reviews.
In an official statement, DGCA confirmed that the Bell 407 helicopter (VT-BKA) departed Kedarnath at 5:19 AM and crashed shortly after near Gaurikund. There were six passengers, including an infant, and one crew member onboard.
UCADA Chief Executive Officer Sonika stated that all helicopter shuttle services in the region had been suspended due to ongoing rescue efforts and poor weather. She confirmed that the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police were en route to the crash site.
“At around 5:30 AM, we got the information that a helicopter going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi could not be located. After some time, it was confirmed that it had crashed near Gaurikund. Rescue operations are underway,” she told ANI.
The tragedy has cast a pall over the region, especially as the Char Dham pilgrimage season continues. Authorities have urged pilgrims to monitor updates and adhere strictly to safety advisories. (ANI)
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