Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash Kills 7, Government Orders Stricter Safety Rules

A tragic helicopter crash near the Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand early Sunday morning claimed the lives of all seven people on board. The accident occurred above the forests of Gaurikund due to poor visibility caused by bad weather.

The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, was flying from Kedarnath to Guptkashi around 5:30 AM when it crashed and caught fire. Those killed include five pilgrims, one employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, and the pilot, Capt. Rajveer Singh Chauhan. The victims were from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

In response, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and directed immediate rescue efforts. He has now ordered the creation of a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopter operations in the state. The SOP will focus on technical checks and weather conditions before flights. A committee of experts has also been formed to investigate past and present helicopter accidents and take action against those found responsible. The chief minister emphasized that safety in heli services is essential, especially for pilgrims and emergency needs in the hilly region.