Dehradun, June 15 — In a tragic incident amid the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation has crashed near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, leaving all six persons on board feared dead. The chopper, returning from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, lost contact with ground control in the early hours of Saturday, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.
According to Dr V. Murugeshan, Additional Director General (Law and Order), Uttarakhand, the helicopter went off radar between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund. “A helicopter going from Dehradun to Kedarnath went missing in the Gaurikund area. It was later confirmed to have crashed,” he said. There were six people on board, including the pilot and a child. All are feared to have died on the spot.
The helicopter, which had earlier taken off from Guptkashi for Kedarnath, was on its return leg when it encountered inclement weather. Officials suspect poor visibility and challenging weather conditions may have contributed to the aircraft losing its course before crashing into the densely forested terrain near Gaurikund.
Emergency response teams, including local administration, disaster response units, and forest officials, were dispatched to the suspected crash site — a remote and heavily forested area along the Kedarnath pilgrimage route. The region’s difficult topography and adverse weather have posed significant hurdles to the rescue and recovery operations.
Initial reports indicate that five pilgrims and the pilot were on board. Sources also mention the presence of a child among the victims. While the identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed, officials said efforts are underway for recovery and identification.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities are expected to conduct a detailed probe in coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Aryan Aviation, the operator of the ill-fated helicopter, has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
This accident has once again raised pressing concerns over the safety of helicopter operations in Uttarakhand’s high-altitude and weather-sensitive zones, particularly during the peak pilgrimage season. The Char Dham Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees every year, often sees increased helicopter traffic to and from the Kedarnath shrine.
Officials have urged caution among operators and are likely to revisit safety protocols in light of the crash.
Further updates are awaited as the investigation and recovery efforts continue.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
