Six people are feared dead after a helicopter crashed in India’s Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Friday. The aircraft was carrying five passengers and a pilot when it went down near Joshimath in the Chamoli district.
According to initial reports, the helicopter was travelling from Badrinath, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination, to Dehradun. Authorities launched a joint rescue operation after the aircraft lost communication while flying over the Joshimath valley.
The incident raised concerns about the safety of helicopter services operating in the mountainous region, particularly during the pilgrimage season.
Rescue Teams Launch Search Operation
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed receiving information about the helicopter crash near a village in the Joshimath area. He said district administration officials, disaster management teams and security personnel had joined the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, rescue teams reached the suspected crash location near Chhai village in Chamoli district. Television reports indicated that firefighters and emergency personnel spotted smoke and flames at the site.
The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority also confirmed that the helicopter lost communication during its journey. Its tracking system stopped receiving signals while the aircraft crossed the Joshimath valley.
Aviation Company Grounds Entire Helicopter Fleet
Authorities identified Trans Bharat Aviation as the helicopter’s operator. Following the incident, the company grounded its entire helicopter fleet as a precautionary measure while officials investigated the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Bad weather conditions, including rainfall and poor visibility, reportedly hampered rescue efforts. Officials also mobilised disaster response personnel and Indian Army teams to assist with emergency operations.
The crash has renewed concerns about helicopter safety in Uttarakhand, where aircraft regularly transport pilgrims to high-altitude religious destinations.
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