Local media reported that a helicopter crashed in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India on Sunday, killing all six people, including pilots.
State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X, “There has been a very sad news about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district.”
He said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local authorities and rescue teams had started relief operations.
Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) said that the helicopter was traveling to Guptakashi from Shri Kedarnath Dham and said that there was one of the passengers.
UCADA said that it had sent a team to the accident site to investigate the cause behind the accident.
Locals who went to collect fodder for their cattle, saw the helicopter debris and alerted the authorities, Indian news magazine Week Informed
Helicopter security in Uttarakhand
Chopper belonged to a private company called Aryan Aviation.
Dhami has issued instructions for helicopters in the state. He said that the standard operation process (SOP) should be prepared for helicopters including a complete technical inspection and accurate weather information, the daily newspaper said times of India,
In May, a helicopter crashed on the way to Gangotri Dham in the state, killing six. Another helicopter was to make an emergency landing in June, where the pilot suffered injuries.
Uttarakhand is a popular tourist destination with its mountains and greenery. It is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus with many temples and holy sites.
India recently faced a deadly flight accident in the city of Ahmedabad, killing 270.
Edited by: ZAC Crellin
