5 Pilgrims, pilot killed in helicopter crash near Kedarnath

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

Kedarnath, Oct 18, 2022: Six people, including a pilot, were killed after a helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand today.

The helicopter crashed near Garu Chatti, officials said, confirming that six bodies have been recovered so far.

 

A rescue operation is underway, they said.

The helicopter crashed right after the takeoff from Kedarnath. A total of seven people, including a pilot, were onboard the chopper, sources said.

 

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: A helicopter carrying Kedarnath pilgrims from Phata crashes, casualties feared; administration team left for the spot for relief and rescue work. Further details awaited pic.twitter.com/sDf4x1udlJ

— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2022

Reports suggest bad weather and poor visibility caused the crash. Details are being ascertained, they said.

Visuals from the spot showed a massive plume of smoke.

 

The helicopter crash in Kedarnath is extremely unfortunate. We are in touch with the State government to ascertain the magnitude of the loss, and are constantly monitoring the situation.

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) October 18, 2022

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed his anguish over the incident and said the situation is being constantly monitored.