Helicopter Plane Crash in Uttarakhand Kills Seven
The crash has sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences, with Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore praising the bravery and patriotism of Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan and his family. The incident highlights the need for improved safety measures and regulations for helicopter operations in the region, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
A helicopter crash in Uttarakhand, India, has killed seven people, including a two-year-old child and the pilot, while flying from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, a popular Hindu pilgrimage route in the Himalayas. The incident occurred near Gaurikund, and rescue teams were dispatched immediately. Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore paid tribute to Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan, who died in the crash, praising his mother's strength and patriotism.
The helicopter was carrying seven people, including Chauhan, when it crashed, with preliminary indications suggesting Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) as the probable cause. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand convened a high-level meeting and suspended charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region as a safety precaution. Helicopter operations have since resumed, but flying has not yet resumed due to poor weather.
The incident has led to the closure of helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage route until Monday, and the state government has promised a thorough inquiry into the cause of the crash. This is the second helicopter crash in the area in a month, following a similar incident that killed six people. The crash comes as India mourns the loss of at least 279 people who died when a passenger plane crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
An investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been ordered, and the state government has promised to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of helicopter operations in the region, particularly during the peak pilgrimage season.