Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand – June 15, 2025:
In a devastating tragedy near Kedarnath, seven people lost their lives early Sunday morning after a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed near Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district. The helicopter was en route from the Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi when it went missing shortly after takeoff.
What Happened?
The chopper took off from Kedarnath helipad around 5:20 AM but lost contact with the control center within minutes. Authorities later confirmed that the helicopter had crashed due to sudden adverse weather conditions in the mountainous region.
Kedarnath Helicopter Crash Victims Identified
All seven individuals on board, including the pilot and an infant, died in the crash. The deceased have been identified as:
- Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan (Pilot)
- Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), Shradha Rajkumar Jaiswal (35), and Kashi (23 months) – residents of Maharashtra
- Vikram (46) – resident of Rudraprayag
- Vinod Dev (66) and Tusti Singh (29) – residents of Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
Local villagers noticed smoke coming from a forested area near Gaurikund and alerted authorities, leading rescue teams to the crash site.
Statement from Authorities
Inspector Anirudh Bhandari of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) confirmed the fatalities. “All seven occupants of the helicopter have died. The crash occurred while the pilot was attempting to navigate through deteriorating weather in the valley,” he said.
District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey, who is also the nodal officer for chopper services in Rudraprayag, stated, “The helicopter encountered sudden fog and low visibility while returning to Guptkashi. The pilot tried to maneuver through the valley but failed to regain control.”
Repeated Incidents on Char Dham Route
This tragic crash marks the fifth helicopter-related incident on the Char Dham pilgrimage route in the last 40 days, raising serious concerns about aviation safety in the region. Just a few days earlier, on June 7, another chopper carrying five pilgrims made an emergency landing near Barasu, though all survived with minor injuries.
Uttarakhand CM Reacts
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “It is a heartbreaking tragedy. Rescue operations are underway. I pray to Baba Kedar for strength for the bereaved families and the safety of all Char Dham pilgrims.”
Aviation Safety Under Scrutiny
The repeated mishaps on the Char Dham route have prompted renewed scrutiny of private helicopter operators, particularly during peak pilgrimage season when chopper services are heavily relied upon. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of this latest accident.
