The incident comes days after an Air India plane crashed in the western Ahmedabad city, killing all but one of the 242 on board.– Al-Jazeera
A heartbreaking helicopter crash in the early hours of June 15, 2025, has claimed the lives of all seven onboard in Uttarakhand, India. The chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation, was ferrying pilgrims from the sacred Kedarnath temple to Guptkashi when it tragically went down near Gaurikund, Rudraprayag district.
The ill-fated Bell 407 helicopter took off around 5:30 a.m. amid low visibility and harsh mountain weather. Within moments, it crashed into a heavily forested area and erupted in flames, leaving no survivors. Eyewitnesses in the vicinity reported hearing a loud boom before seeing smoke rise from the hills.
This marks the fifth helicopter-related incident in Uttarakhand in less than six weeks, raising serious concerns about the safety of air operations in the region.
The crash claimed the lives of:
– Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan, a retired Indian Army officer with over 15 years of service.
– Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), his wife Shraddha Jaiswal (35), and their 23-month-old daughter Kashi—a family from Maharashtra.
– Pilgrims Vikram Rawat, Vinod Devi, and Trishti Singh.
Due to the severity of the fire, most bodies were charred beyond recognition. DNA testing is being used for formal identification.
Officials confirm that dense fog and low visibility were likely the primary contributors to the crash. With unpredictable weather a common challenge in the Himalayan region, experts are calling for stricter pre-flight assessments and cancellation protocols when conditions are unsafe.
Suspension and Investigation
The Uttarakhand government swiftly suspended all helicopter services to Kedarnath Valley. Aryan Aviation’s operations have been halted indefinitely. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also suspended the licenses of two Aryan Aviation pilots for six months pending investigation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading a full-scale inquiry, while the state has directed a technical panel to propose new SOPs for helicopter operations in high-altitude pilgrimage zones.
This crash is the latest in a troubling series of helicopter incidents during this year’s Char Dham Yatra, a revered pilgrimage that draws millions of devotees annually. With terrain as unforgiving as the Himalayas and weather conditions that can shift rapidly, aviation safety has become a critical concern.
Key developments to watch:
– AAIB’s final report on the technical cause of the crash.
– Implementation of stricter operational guidelines and enhanced pilot training.
– Reassessment of weather-based flying thresholds for pilgrimage aviation routes.
– Public confidence in air travel to remote temples, particularly Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The loss of seven lives—including that of a toddler on a spiritual journey—has cast a long shadow over the Char Dham season. As families mourn, officials and aviation stakeholders must come together to ensure that such tragedies never repeat. The Himalayas are sacred and awe-inspiring, but safety must always be the highest priority.
For continuous updates on this developing story and more news from the region, stay tuned.
– Deeprows News
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