Six people, including five passengers and a pilot, are feared dead after a helicopter crashed while returning from Badrinath Dham in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Friday, October 30.
The helicopter, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation, was flying from Badrinath to Dehradun when it lost contact.
Reports indicate it crashed near Chai village in the Jyotirmath area of Chamoli district.
Emergency teams from the district administration, police, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were quickly dispatched to the site.
Helicopter Loses Contact
The helicopter VT-HCX departed from Badrinath at approximately 1:14 PM, according to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA).
It was carrying five passengers and a pilot.
Contact was lost as the helicopter flew over Joshimath valley, and the tracking system stopped sending updates, complicating efforts to locate it.
The helicopter was headed for the Sahastradhara area of Dehradun.
Wreckage Found Near Chai Village
After contact was lost, the Chamoli district administration began a search operation.
Local residents alerted authorities after spotting smoke in the forested area near Chai village.
Search teams eventually located the helicopter wreckage.
All six individuals on board are feared dead, but the exact number of fatalities is still unknown.
Teams Deployed for Rescue
In response to the incident, the district administration dispatched emergency teams.
Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force, police, and district administration were sent to the crash site.
Additional helicopters were utilized for the operation.
However, challenging terrain and poor weather conditions made it difficult to carry out rescues.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated he was monitoring the situation closely and that the administration would provide necessary assistance.
Poor Weather Suspected as Cause
Preliminary reports indicate that poor weather conditions may have contributed to the incident.
Rain, snow, and low visibility were prevalent in the area, raising concerns about flying conditions.
The exact cause of the helicopter crash is still under investigation.
Helicopter Services Halted
This decision follows concerns over weather conditions in the Himalayan region.
In light of the crash, helicopter services in the area were suspended on Saturday.
The incident underscores the risks associated with flying in Uttarakhand’s mountainous pilgrimage sites, where unpredictable weather and challenging geography pose significant challenges for aviation.
Authorities continue to respond to this tragic event.