Kedarnath Helicopter Crash Kills Seven, Including Infant and Tourists from Maharashtra

KKN Gurugram Desk | In a tragic incident that has shaken the Kedarnath pilgrimage circuit, a helicopter ferrying devotees from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed near Gaurikund in the Dhuri Khark forest region early this morning. The crash resulted in the deaths of all seven people on board, including the pilot, a couple from Maharashtra, their infant child, and other local and out-of-state pilgrims.

The chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation, took off from Kedarnath helipad at around 5:17 AM, but lost control reportedly due to a combination of technical failure and sudden weather deterioration. According to preliminary reports, the pilot attempted a hard landing in the upper Gaurikund area, but the helicopter was severely damaged upon impact.

 Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: What Happened?

The helicopter was on a routine return trip from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, carrying six pilgrims and one pilot. Shortly after takeoff, adverse weather conditions—characterized by low visibility and gusty mountain winds—caused navigational issues. Eye-witnesses, including women from the Nepali community who were cutting grass in the nearby forest, reported a loud noise and saw the helicopter crash in flames.

District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar and helicopter nodal officer Rahul Chaubey have confirmed the crash. Rescue teams from SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and local administration were immediately dispatched to the site.

 Crash Site Location:

• Region: Dhuri Khark near Gaurikund

• District: Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

• Coordinates: Upper forest zone, difficult terrain

 List of Deceased Passengers

All seven on board have been confirmed dead. The victims include:

1. Rajveer – Pilot

2. Vikram Rawat – Resident of Raasi, Ukhimath (BKTC Employee)

3. Vinod

4. Trishti Singh

5. Rajkumar

6. Shraddha Jaiswal – Maharashtra

7. Rashi – Female child, aged 10 (Reported earlier as a 23-month-old)

Note: Initial confusion existed regarding the age of the child; authorities have now confirmed the girl was 10 years old.

 Likely Cause: Technical Failure and Bad Weather

According to early investigations, technical malfunction combined with sudden weather change appears to have caused the crash. The helicopter reportedly lost control while attempting to land at an alternate location after encountering poor visibility conditions mid-flight.

This is not the first such incident in the region. Since the opening of Kedarnath Temple gates on May 2, this marks the fifth helicopter-related emergency in the area. However, this is the deadliest so far in the current pilgrimage season.

CM Pushkar Dhami Expresses Grief

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared his condolences via social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He wrote:

“A deeply tragic helicopter accident has been reported in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration, and emergency response teams are actively engaged in rescue and relief efforts. Praying to Baba Kedarnath for the safety of all devotees.”

The Chief Minister also ordered an inquiry into the crash, directing aviation regulators and local authorities to review safety protocols for chopper operations in high-altitude pilgrimage routes.

 Eyewitness Accounts and Rescue Operation

Local women working in the forests near Gaurikund reported seeing the helicopter wobble in the air before hearing a loud crash. “We saw smoke and ran toward the sound. The helicopter had hit the hillside and was burning,” one woman told local reporters.

Rescue operations were challenging due to the rugged terrain and limited access routes. SDRF personnel had to trek for several kilometers before reaching the crash site. All seven bodies were recovered by 9:30 AM and have been sent for postmortem.

 Helicopter Services in Char Dham: Safety Under Scrutiny

With thousands of pilgrims opting for helicopter services to Kedarnath due to its treacherous trekking path, aviation operators have seen a surge in demand. However, frequent adverse weather conditions, limited helipad infrastructure, and overuse of older chopper models have raised serious concerns.

Experts have now called for:

• Stricter weather monitoring systems

• Mandatory technical inspections

• Real-time air traffic control coordination

• Pilot training for emergency landings in mountainous regions

Crash Timeline: June 15, 2025

Public Reaction and Pilgrim Safety Measures

Pilgrims and local residents have expressed shock and grief over the incident. With thousands of yatris visiting Kedarnath daily, today’s crash has triggered fresh concerns over air safety and weather preparedness.

Authorities have urged all travelers to:

• Check weather alerts before scheduling helicopter rides

• Opt for government-certified aviation operators

• Cooperate with safety protocols at helipads

The Kedarnath helicopter crash on June 15, 2025, is a stark reminder of the fragility of high-altitude aviation in unpredictable weather. As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, the incident also raises urgent questions about safety regulation, pilot preparedness, and infrastructure readiness in India’s spiritual tourism sector.

dimgrey-bison-994082.hostingersite.com will continue to monitor this story and bring updates on the investigation, safety reforms, and pilgrim advisories for future yatra seasons.