6 Pilgrims and a Pilot Die in Chopper Crash in Uttarakhand

KEDARNATH: A helicopter carrying six pilgrims and a pilot crashed near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. As per reports, the pilgrims were on their way to Guptkashi when the tragedy happened.

"Seven people, including a pilot, were killed after a helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand today. The helicopter en route to Guptkashi crashed right after the takeoff from the Kedarnath shrine at around 11.40 am. A total of seven people, including a pilot, were onboard the chopper, mentioned a report.

"All seven bodies have been recovered from the accident site," said C Ravi Shankar. He is the CEO of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority.

Reports mentioned that a loud noise was heard before the helicopter burst into flames near Garud Chatti. A huge plume of smoke was reported from the site soon after the crash.

The craft has been mentioned as a Bell 407 helicopter numbered VT-RPN. It was registered to a Delhi-based firm named Aryan Aviation. The pilgrims were traveling from Kedarnath to Guptkashi.

The exact reason for the crash has not been known yet, but adverse weather conditions may have been a reason. A detailed inquiry of the entire incident has been ordered by the Chief Minister of Uttrakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami. "The exact cause of the accident will be known after a proper investigation," Mr. C Ravi Shankar mentioned.

The Minister of Civil Aviation in India, Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed his anguish over Twitter. He tweeted "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."

President Draupadi Murmu mentioned "केदारनाथ धाम के पास हुए हेलीकॉप्टर दुर्घटना में पायलट सहित कई तीर्थयात्रियों के निधन का समाचार बहुत दुखद है। अपने प्रियजनों को खोने वाले परिवारों के प्रति मैं गहन शोक-संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करती हूं।" Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the death of pilgrims and the pilot in the chopper crash. He tweeted "Anguished by the helicopter crash in Uttarakhand. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families."

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