Six people died on Tuesday when a helicopter carrying Kedarnath pilgrims crashed near Uttarakhand’s Garud Chatti.
The chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation Private Limited, was returning from Kedarnath when it crashed near Garud Chatti, according to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
ITBP added that rescue operations are currently underway.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: A helicopter carrying Kedarnath pilgrims from Phata crashes, casualties feared; administration team left for the spot for relief and rescue work. Further details awaited pic.twitter.com/sDf4x1udlJ
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2022
The crash of the chopper, which occurred about 3 kilometres from Kedarnath, killed all six people on board, including the pilot. The Aryan Aviation chopper went down around 11:45 a.m.
#BreakingNews
Shocking; A helicopter carrying #Kedarnath pilgrims from Phata crashes.Six people d!ed in the helicopter #crash in Phata, #Uttarakhand.
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#helicoptercrash #ACCIDENT pic.twitter.com/h9yXW0gvm3— INDIA TODAY (@India_To_Today) October 18, 2022
On the other hand, an avalanche occurred behind the Kedarnath Dham on October 1, but no damage was done to the temple. A massive glacier behind Kedarnath was broken for the second time, resembling a watershed from a distance.
On the evening of September 22, an avalanche occurred in the catchment of the Chorabari Glacier at Kedarnath Dham.
Chorabari Glacier is located approximately 5 kilometres behind Kedarnath temple.
Kedarnath is part of the Char Dham yatra, which devotees in the state of Uttarakhand undertake. The circuit also includes the sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath.
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.
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) October 18, 2022
In addition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kedarnath and Badrinath on Friday (21 October)
Kedarnath is nearing the end of its run. The Kedarnath Dham will close its doors at 8:30 a.m. on October 27.
For pilgrims to reach the revered shrine, the Uttarakhand government provides helicopter services. The services are available in the Rudraprayag district towns of Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi. Bookings for helicopter services are made through the Uttarakhand government’s official and authorised website.
