Six Dead as Indian Pilgrims’ Helicopter Crashes Near Kedarnath

A tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath on Sunday has reportedly claimed the lives of six people on board.

According to Indian media, the helicopter had departed from Dehradun and was headed to the sacred Himalayan town when it lost communication with air traffic control near Gaurikund, a high-altitude area in Uttarakhand.

Rescue teams later found the wreckage between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund, confirming the aircraft had deviated from its path due to severe weather conditions. Reports indicate that poor visibility and strong air currents likely led to the crash.

Dr. V Murugeshan, Additional Director General (Law and Order), confirmed that six individuals were aboard, though the official death toll is still pending. However, several media reports state that five people died at the scene.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with local and federal teams, is actively involved in rescue and relief efforts at the crash site.

Helicopter services to Kedarnath are a common mode of transport for pilgrims, especially during the Char Dham Yatra season. However, the region’s unpredictable weather has long been a challenge for aviation safety.

This incident echoes a previous tragedy in October 2022, when another helicopter crash in the same area claimed the lives of seven pilgrims, once again raising concerns about flight safety in the hazardous mountainous terrain.