Six dead, two injured as helicopter crashes in India's Uttarakhand PHOTO

A tragic helicopter crash in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on the morning of May 8 claimed six lives and left two others injured, as a private chopper en route to the Gangotri shrine plunged into a deep gorge near the Bhagirathi River.

According to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the ill-fated helicopter, operated by AeroTrans Services Private Limited, lost control and fell into a 200–250-metre-deep ravine, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media.

The crash occurred around 9:00 a.m., shortly after the aircraft took off from the Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun, bound for the Kharsali helipad in Yamunotri.

Among the seven individuals reportedly on board, four passengers were from Mumbai, two were from Andhra Pradesh, and the aircraft was being piloted by Captain Robin Singh.

Local residents, police, and emergency responders were quick to reach the crash site, while a broad response operation was launched involving police units, Army personnel, a Quick Response Team from the disaster management force, medical teams including a Team 108 ambulance, and other district officials.

Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the location of the crash as near Ganganani in Uttarkashi. "Administration and relief teams are present at the helicopter crash site," he told the media.

The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with conducting a formal probe into the incident.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and stated that he has ordered a detailed investigation. “I am in continuous contact with officials and monitoring the situation closely,” Dhami said.

The incident has cast a shadow over the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage season, as authorities investigate what led to the devastating crash.

By Tamilla Hasanova