Business · India Bureau
Private helicopter crashes in Uttarakhand; six aboard, rescue underway
A private helicopter with six people on board has crashed near Joshimath in Uttarakhand state. Rescue operations are ongoing following the incident, which occurred as the aircraft was en route to Dehradun from the pilgrimage site of Badrinath.
LSN India ·
The helicopter came down around 2:20 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon near Joshimath, a town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in northern India. The aircraft, operated by a private aviation company, was returning from Badrinath when the crash occurred, according to local officials.
Authorities have mobilised rescue teams to the crash site in the mountainous terrain. The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, and details regarding the condition of those on board are still being ascertained.
Joshimath is located in a region prone to challenging weather conditions and difficult topography, factors that can complicate both flight operations and emergency response efforts. The area is frequented by helicopters ferrying pilgrims and tourists to and from religious sites in the Garhwal Himalayas.
State and central aviation authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Helicopter operations in the region have faced increased scrutiny in recent years following several similar incidents in the high-altitude Himalayan terrain.