A tragic helicopter crash in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district claimed six lives early Thursday morning. The chopper, carrying seven passengers including the pilot, was en route from Dehradun to the Harsil helipad—a key route for pilgrims and tourists traveling to Gangnani and surrounding Himalayan sites. Five of the deceased were women tourists: Kala Soni (61), Vijaya Reddy (57), Ruchi Aggarwal (56) from Mumbai, Radha Aggarwal (79) from Uttar Pradesh, and Vedavati Kumari (48) from Andhra Pradesh. The pilot, Robin Singh (60) from Gujarat, also died in the crash. One survivor, Bhaskar (51) from Andhra Pradesh, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment.

The helicopter was nearing its destination when it reportedly lost control and crashed under still-unknown circumstances. Rescue operations were launched immediately by the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and the district administration. The District Magistrate of Uttarkashi rushed to the scene, and the injured were quickly transported for medical assistance. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with authorities exploring technical faults or weather-related issues as possible factors. The wreckage site has been cordoned off, and officials are collecting forensic and mechanical evidence.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to social media to express his condolences, calling the accident a heartbreaking loss. “May God grant peace to the souls of the deceased and strength to their families,” he said. Dhami has instructed the administration to ensure all necessary help for the survivor and promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. With the region seeing a surge in pilgrimage traffic during the season, the incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety protocols of mountain aviation routes in Uttarakhand.