Seven Killed as Helicopter Carrying Hindu Pilgrims Crashes in India

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Uttarakhand, India – A tragic helicopter crash near the sacred Hindu town of Kedarnath in India’s Himalayan state of Uttarakhand has claimed the lives of seven people, including six pilgrims and the pilot, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, had just taken off from Kedarnath and was headed to Guptkashi, a key location on the Char Dham pilgrimage route, when it crashed just minutes into the short flight, around 5:30 a.m. local time.

According to early investigations, adverse weather conditions likely contributed to the fatal crash. The aircraft plunged into a forested area along the pilgrimage corridor and burst into flames upon impact.

Local disaster management official Nandan Singh Rajwar stated that rescue operations were promptly launched. Images shared by Uttarakhand Police show emergency teams navigating through the wreckage.

All passengers, including those from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, were found dead, with bodies severely burned in the post-crash fire.

In response to the accident, India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has immediately suspended Aryan Aviation’s operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been tasked with overseeing all helicopter services operating in the Kedarnath sector.

A full investigation into the crash is underway, with aviation safety protocols under renewed scrutiny due to the high volume of pilgrims and difficult flying conditions in the mountainous region.

The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of Hinduism’s holiest sites and draws thousands of devotees daily during the Char Dham Yatra season.

Officials have urged pilgrimage tour operators and aviation service providers to exercise extreme caution amid the ongoing monsoon season, which often brings unpredictable weather patterns to the region.

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