• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

In a tragic incident, seven people were killed after a helicopter returning from Kedarnath Temple crashed in Gaurikund district in the early hours of Sunday. Uttarakhand ADG Law and Order V Murugeshan stated that the helicopter lost direction somewhere between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund and later crashed in the same region. The officials stated that the rescue teams have been dispatched to the site, adding that the helicopter crashed in a remote area. 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. "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," Dhami stated in a post on X.

ALSO READ: Weather Update: IMD Issues Heavy Rain Alert For Maharashtra, Kerala; Heat To Persist In Rajasthan, Haryana

While providing details, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) stated that the passengers belonged to Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, adding that the rescue teams have been dispatched to the site.

"Today, at around 5:20 am, a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, has been reported to have crashed near Gaurikund. There were six passengers, including the pilot (5 adults and 1 child). The passengers in the helicopter are from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In view of relief and rescue, NDRF and SDRF teams have been dispatched to the site of the incident," UCADA informed in its statement.

ALSO READ: PM Modi Embarks On 5-Day Tour To Cyprus, Canada and Croatia, To Thank Partner Countries For Support Against Terrorism

Apart from this, IG Garhwal Rajiv Swaroop stated that the place where this accident took place is a very remote area. The officials stated that this is the fifth time in the past six weeks that a helicopter's services got disrupted due to various reasons, adding that new guidelines will be issued shortly to avoid such instances. 

(Updates to follow)