A tragic helicopter crash near Gangotri during the ongoing Chardham Yatra has claimed the lives of five people, according to preliminary reports. The incident occurred near Gangnani in the Uttarkashi district.
The helicopter, believed to belong to a private aviation company, crashed under unclear circumstances while en route as part of the pilgrimage operations. The Chardham Yatra, which commenced on April 30, draws lakhs of devotees from across the country to the sacred sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
As soon as news of the crash was received, teams from the police, administration, and disaster management authority rushed to the site. Rescue operations have been launched and are currently underway.
Authorities have confirmed five fatalities, though further details on the victims are still awaited. The cause of the crash is yet to be officially determined, but the incident has cast a shadow over the otherwise spiritually significant pilgrimage.
Adding to the challenges, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting rain and strong winds in the region. Officials believe that inclement weather may have played a role in the mishap, although an investigation is in progress.
The state government is expected to issue a formal statement soon as search and recovery efforts continue in the difficult terrain.