World · India Bureau
Five Bengaluru friends killed in Chamoli helicopter crash during Char Dham pilgrimage
A helicopter carrying five passengers from Bengaluru crashed in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district while the group was on a pilgrimage to the Char Dham shrines. All five occupants were killed in the incident.
LSN India ·
Five residents of Bengaluru lost their lives when a helicopter crashed in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on what was meant to be a spiritual journey to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. The victims have been identified as Arun Salunke, H S Nataraj, Prathap Ningraju, Sudheer K, and Shankar Gowda.
The group was traveling by helicopter as part of their pilgrimage itinerary when the aircraft encountered trouble in the mountainous terrain of Chamoli. Emergency services responded to the crash site, though details regarding the exact circumstances of the incident remain under investigation.
The Char Dham pilgrimage, which encompasses the four sacred Hindu shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Chopta in the Himalayas, attracts thousands of devotees annually. The route through Uttarakhand's challenging mountain geography requires careful navigation, particularly for air travel.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash. The incident marks another tragedy in the region, highlighting the risks associated with helicopter operations in high-altitude areas during pilgrimage season.