Helicopter Carrying Pilgrims Crashes in Uttarakhand

A helicopter carrying seven individuals, including a crew member and a two-year-old child, crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand, India, on Sunday morning, killing everyone on board. The Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter was on a routine pilgrimage shuttle from Kedarnath to Guptkashi when it encountered fatal difficulties shortly after takeoff.

The flight, which should have lasted only about ten minutes, ended in tragedy due to what officials believe were poor weather conditions and low visibility. The crash site, located in dense forest, complicated rescue efforts, but teams from the State and National Disaster Response Forces responded promptly.

The victims included the pilot, Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan, and a family—Vikramatod Dev Tris Singh, his wife, and their young daughter. The helicopter caught fire upon impact, severely burning the bodies of those on board.

This incident occurred just three days after a major plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where a Boeing 787 killed more than 270 people. Only one passenger survived and is recovering in hospital.

Authorities have begun a formal investigation into the helicopter crash, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau leading efforts to determine the precise cause. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasized that “aviation safety is non-negotiable,” and new measures have been introduced to limit flight operations in hazardous weather.