State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the incident in a post on X.
Dhami mentioned that relief operations are underway, involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local officials, and rescue teams.
The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) stated that the helicopter was traveling from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi and one of the passengers was a child.
The UCADA has sent a team to investigate the cause of the crash.
Local residents who were gathering fodder for their cattle discovered the wreckage and informed the authorities, as reported by Indian news magazine The Week.
Helicopter Safety in Uttarakhand
The crashed helicopter belonged to a private company called Aryan Aviation.
Dhami has instructed the preparation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopters, which includes thorough technical inspections and accurate weather information, according to Times of India.
In May, another helicopter crash occurred in the state while en route to Gangotri Dham, claiming six lives. In June, a helicopter had to make an emergency landing, resulting in injuries to the pilot.
Uttarakhand is a well-known tourist destination due to its mountainous landscapes and natural beauty. Additionally, it is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, with numerous temples and holy sites.
Recently, India experienced a deadly flight crash in Ahmedabad, resulting in the loss of 270 lives.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
