A helicopter travelling from Badrinath to Dehradun crashed near Joshimath on Friday afternoon, according to officials from Uttarakhand’s disaster management. The aircraft reportedly lost communication shortly after take-off, leading to concerns about the safety of those onboard. Initial reports indicate that all six individuals aboard have perished, although their bodies have not yet been recovered.

The helicopter was carrying one pilot and five passengers, all of whom were identified as residents of Bengaluru. The pilot, Captain Himanshu, was accompanied by passengers Prathapa, Arun, Shankar Gowda, Sudheer K, and HS Natraja. The tragic event has prompted a significant response from local authorities and rescue teams.

Rescue operations are currently in progress, with teams dispatched to the crash site. The Chamoli district administration has confirmed that personnel are working to locate and recover the bodies, although the exact circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear. Smoke was reportedly observed rising from the vicinity of Chaien village, which has heightened concerns about the incident.

Flight Details and Search Efforts

The helicopter, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation Pvt Ltd, took off at approximately 1:14 PM. It lost contact while flying over the Joshimath valley, prompting immediate action from rescue teams. The Indian Army, along with the District Administration and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), has been mobilised to initiate search and rescue operations in the area.

Authorities have confirmed that smoke was seen near Chaien village, indicating the potential crash site. The search efforts are being coordinated by multiple agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and recovery operation. As of now, it remains uncertain whether there were any survivors among the six individuals onboard.

In light of the incident, the entire fleet of Trans Bharat Aviation has been grounded as a precautionary measure. Prateek Jain, Chief Executive Officer of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), stated that they have been unable to trace the helicopter since it disappeared from radar. He emphasised that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Possible Causes and Official Response

Bad weather conditions and snowfall are suspected to have contributed to the crash, although no official statement has been released confirming this. The investigation into the specific causes of the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed his concern regarding the incident. In a statement posted on X, he acknowledged the unfortunate situation and confirmed that a joint rescue operation is being conducted by the district administration, the Disaster Management Department, and the SDRF. He has been closely monitoring the situation and has instructed that critically injured individuals be airlifted to higher-level medical facilities for urgent care.

The Chief Minister also extended his prayers for the safety of the passengers involved in the crash. As rescue operations continue, local authorities remain committed to providing support and assistance to the affected families during this challenging time.

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