In a heart-wrenching incident on Sunday, 15 June 2024, a helicopter crash in northern India claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including a toddler. The helicopter, which was ferrying Hindu pilgrims from the Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand, came down during what officials suspect were adverse weather conditions.
Details of the Incident
The Bell 407 helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, took off at 5.19 am and was headed to Guptkashi when tragedy struck. According to Bansidhar Tripathi, the director-general of information for Uttarakhand, this crash is not an isolated incident—as there have been three emergency landings and two prior crashes on the same pilgrimage route within the last month and a half.
Rescue Operations Underway
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the news, stating that rescue teams are currently engaged in relief efforts. Authorities have decided to suspend helicopter services to Kedarnath Valley until Monday due to ongoing bad weather conditions. An immediate enquiry has been ordered to investigate the crash, and only experienced helicopter pilots will be allowed for future operations in these challenging Himalayan flight paths.
Impact on Pilgrimage
- Uttarakhand is a popular destination for pilgrims, particularly to the Kedarnath temple, which is part of the Char Dham Yatra route.
- The temple attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, especially during the summer months when access to the site is possible.
- In light of this tragic event, the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has indicated that it will enhance surveillance and review helicopter operations to prevent further accidents.
Community Response
This incident comes on the heels of another tragedy that saw at least 279 lives lost when a passenger plane crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad just days earlier. Locals continue to mourn as the state grapples with the impacts of these catastrophic events.