Tragedy in Kedarnath: Helicopter Crash Claims 7 Lives, Chopper Services Suspended

Key Points

• Aryan Aviation helicopter crashed near Gaurikund, Uttarakhand, early Sunday morning
• All 7 people onboard, including the pilot and a child, died in the accident
• Poor weather conditions believed to be a major factor in the crash
• Helicopter services in the Char Dham region suspended until further notice
• CM Pushkar Singh Dhami orders technical review and stricter safety protocols

Dehradun: A devastating helicopter crash near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand has claimed the lives of all seven people onboard, including the pilot, five adult pilgrims, and a child. The incident occurred early Sunday morning, around 5:20 am, in the dense forests of Gaurikund, Rudraprayag district, as the Aryan Aviation BELL 407 chopper was returning from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi with pilgrims participating in the Char Dham Yatra.

Crash Details: Weather Turns Deadly

The helicopter took off from Kedarnath at 5:17 am and soon encountered severe weather conditions in the valley. Officials report that the adverse weather forced the pilot to deviate from the intended route, leading to the crash in the remote Gauri Mai Khark area, approximately a 5 km trek from Gaurikund. Locals collecting fodder discovered the wreckage, prompting immediate rescue operations by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local police.

Victims Identified

Authorities have confirmed the identities of the deceased, which include Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (pilot) from Jaipur, Vikram Rawat from Uttarakhand, Vinod Devi and Trishti Singh from Uttar Pradesh, Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal, Shraddha Rajkumar Jaiswal, and two-year-old Kashi from Maharashtra. The passengers hailed from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

Immediate Response and Investigation

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and has directed that all rescue and relief efforts be prioritized. He chaired an emergency meeting in Dehradun with top officials, including the Chief Secretary and representatives from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). CM Dhami has ordered the formation of a committee of technical experts to conduct a comprehensive review of helicopter safety protocols and draft a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

“The importance of helicopter services in the state is immense for pilgrimage, disaster management, and emergency services. Hence, safety needs to be given top priority,” said CM Dhami.

Helicopter Services Suspended

In the aftermath of the crash, all helicopter services in the Char Dham region, including Kedarnath, have been suspended until further notice. This decision was jointly taken by UCADA and DGCA to ensure the safety of pilgrims and to allow for a thorough investigation of the incident.

A Troubling Pattern

This marks the fifth helicopter crash in Uttarakhand in just six weeks, raising urgent questions about aviation safety in the region. The high-level committee already investigating previous crashes will also probe this latest tragedy, with a mandate to identify any negligence and recommend strict action against those responsible.

Summary Table: Kedarnath Helicopter Crash