A tragic helicopter crash near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand has claimed the lives of seven people, including an infant, early Sunday morning. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead the probe into the incident.
The Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter (VT-BKA) was operating between Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad and Guptkashi. According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 5:10 AM and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 5:18 AM. It departed again for Guptkashi at 5:19 AM but crashed shortly after near Gaurikund.
All seven onboard—five pilgrims, the pilot, and an employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee—were killed in the crash.
In response to the incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reduced helicopter flight frequency to the Char Dham circuit as a safety measure. The DGCA has also begun enhanced surveillance and is reviewing operations for further precautionary steps.
