Rudraprayag (National Times): In a tragic incident on Tuesday, seven people lost their lives after a helicopter ferrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashed in a densely forested area between Gaurikund and Sonprayag in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, was on a short 10-minute journey from Guptkashi to the revered Himalayan shrine.
Authorities confirmed that all those on board, including the pilot, died in the crash. The chopper went down in a remote terrain, making rescue efforts particularly challenging.
Inspector General (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop said that police personnel, along with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), were swiftly deployed to the site.
According to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), the deceased passengers hailed from various states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated, “Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are on site conducting relief operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for strength to the families of the victims.”
This marks the second helicopter accident involving Kedarnath pilgrims in recent times. On May 8, a similar crash near Gangotri Dham in Uttarkashi claimed six lives. More recently, on June 7, a helicopter heading to Kedarnath was forced to make an emergency landing due to a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff. In that case, the pilot sustained injuries, but all five passengers were rescued safely.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of Tuesday’s crash, as concerns grow over the safety of frequent chopper operations in the region during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra.
