Qalam Times News Network
June 15, 2025 | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
A tragic helicopter crash occurred early Sunday morning in the Kedar Valley near the sacred Kedarnath temple, resulting in the death of all seven individuals on board. The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt. Ltd., was en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi when it went down between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan and subsequently caught fire.
According to Hemant Dwivedi, the head of the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee, the deceased included five pilgrims, one child aged 10, and the pilot. The incident marks the fifth helicopter-related mishap in Uttarakhand within the past 40 days, raising serious concerns over aviation safety in the Char Dham region.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed in a statement that the helicopter had taken off from Guptkashi at 5:10 AM, reached the Kedarnath helipad at 5:18 AM, and departed again at 5:19 AM for its return journey. The crash occurred shortly after take-off, near Gaurikund.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident via a message on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Extremely painful news has emerged from Rudraprayag. A helicopter crash has claimed several lives. Rescue operations are currently underway, with SDRF and local authorities at the site.”
In light of the repeated incidents, DGCA has already implemented a reduction in the frequency of helicopter flights to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The regulatory body has also intensified surveillance measures and announced that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a detailed investigation into Sunday’s crash.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the incident has once again drawn national attention to the pressing need for rigorous safety protocols and regulatory oversight in high-altitude helicopter operations.
