In a devastating incident early Sunday morning, a helicopter carrying seven people, including a 23-month-old infant and the pilot, crashed en route from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. The crash occurred at around 5:20 a.m. in the Gaurikund region, within a densely forested area near Gauri Mai Khark. According to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), the victims included six pilgrims—five adults and one child—hailing from various states including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Authorities have confirmed that there were no survivors in this tragic crash, which took place during a brief 10-minute scheduled flight between two sacred locations.
Officials have attributed the accident to poor visibility and deteriorating weather conditions, which severely affected the pilot’s ability to navigate the terrain. Rescue operations, spearheaded by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are underway. However, the rugged topography and forested environment around the crash site have made access extremely difficult. SDRF teams are said to be navigating steep paths and thick vegetation to retrieve the victims and examine the wreckage. The site, located above Gauri Mai Khark, is one of the most challenging zones in the area, further delaying recovery efforts.
Expressing his condolences, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated on social media, “Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the travellers.” The tragedy marks the fifth aviation-related incident in the region since the opening of the Kedarnath temple portals on May 2. On June 7, a separate helicopter developed a technical snag and narrowly avoided disaster after striking a parked car during an emergency landing. The latest crash has renewed concerns about aviation safety standards in the region, especially during the high-risk Char Dham pilgrimage season.
