Kedarnath helicopter crash: Seven on board killed; search operation hit by rain

A search and rescue operation is ongoing with teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district police at the spot. The operation, however, has been hindered due to rain in the area.

An SDRF team at the site of the crash in Uttarakhand. (Credit: SDRF)

In a statement issued, the SDRF said the incident took place between Lincholi and Garud Chatti, and rescue teams from Kedarnath and Lincholi have reached the spot. “The search and rescue operation is going on. The helicopter was from the Aryan Company and seven people were travelling on it. Due to fog, there was less visibility and the helicopter crashed after colliding with a hill,” said the statement.

Those travelling on the helicopter have been identified as Purva Ramanuj, Kriti, Urvi, Sujata, Prem Kumar, Kala, and pilot Anil Singh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia tweeted about the accident.

“Anguished by the helicopter crash in Uttarakhand. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families: PM @narendramodi,” said the Prime Minister’s Office on Twitter.

Anguished by the helicopter crash in Uttarakhand. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 18, 2022

“Got the sad news of the death of some persons in an unfortunate helicopter crash at Garud Chatti near Kedarnath. The SDRF and district administration teams have reached the spot for rescue and relief operations. An order has been issued for the detailed inquiry of the incident,” said Dhami in a tweet.

केदारनाथ के समीप गरुड़ चट्टी में दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण हेलीकॉप्टर क्रैश में कुछ लोगों के हताहत होने का अत्यंत दु:खद समाचार प्राप्त हुआ है। राहत और बचाव कार्य हेतु SDRF और जिला प्रशासन की टीम घटनास्थल पर पहुंच चुकी है। इस दु:खद घटना के विस्तृत जांच के आदेश दे दिए गए है।

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) October 18, 2022

Scindia called the accident unfortunate and said they are in constant touch with the Uttarakhand state government. “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,” he tweeted.