Six killed in helicopter crash in Uttarakhand district; CM orders probe

Six people were killed and one person got injured after a helicopter in which they were travelling in crashed in the Gangani area of Uttarakhand on Thursday.

The incident occurred around 8:50am, when a chopper operated by a private company, en route from Yamunotri Dham, plunged into a deep gorge.

Manoj Aswal, in charge Maneri police station said six passengers including the pilot have been killed in the crash while the one injured passenger is being air lifted for treatment to AIIMS Rishikesh.

“The helicopter, bearing registration number VT-OXF, was carrying seven individuals, including the pilot, identified as Captain Robin Singh, and six passengers. It was coming from Yamunotri Dham. Upon receiving the alert, teams from the State Disaster Response

Force (SDRF) and local police promptly reached the site and started search and rescue operation”, Aswal said.

He said that the helicopter was found in a gorge approximately 200 to 250 meters deep.

“SDRF personnel, alongside local police and other emergency units, are conducting search and rescue operations in the rugged terrain”, he added.

The deceased include four people from Mumbai and two from Andhra Pradesh.

CM orders probe

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a probe into the incident.

Dhami expressed condolences over the deaths. He has directed the local administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured. He said teams of SDRF, and district administration are at the spot for relief and rescue work.

Helicopter services to Kedarnath were briefly halted after the helicopter crash, but later resumed.

(With inputs from Neha Tripathi)