6 Pilgrims, Pilot Killed In Helicopter Crash Near Kedarnath

A helicopter carrying seven people, including the pilot, crashed today near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, killing everyone on board.
At around 11.40 am in Rudraprayag, a helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed just after taking off from the Kedarnath shrine close to Garud Chatti, according to officials.

Six pilgrims’ bodies and the body of a pilot have been found at the scene, they reported.

According to preliminary findings, the crash was caused by adverse weather and limited visibility. C. Ravi Shankar, CEO of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority, stated that the precise reason of the crash would be determined following a thorough inquiry.

Sources with the aviation regulators claimed that a loud boom was heard prior to the helicopter catching fire. In order to get from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, a Bell 407 helicopter registered as VT-RPN and owned by Aryan Aviation in Delhi crashed, according to sources, maybe because of hazy weather.

A huge plume of smoke was visible from the location. At the scene of the accident, a joint search and rescue effort is being conducted by the district police, National Disaster Response Force, and State Disaster Response Force. A thorough investigation into the tragedy has been requested by the chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, the minister of civil aviation, expressed his sorrow over the event and stated that they are in close contact with the state administration.

President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the death of pilgrims and the pilot in the chopper crash.

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