A tragic helicopter crash near Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand claimed the lives of six people, including the pilot, early Thursday morning. The helicopter was flying from Dehradun to Harsil helipad, carrying a total of seven passengers.
Who Were the Victims?
Among the six who died in the crash were five female tourists and the pilot:
- Kala Soni (61), Vijaya Reddy (57), Ruchi Aggarwal (56) – from Mumbai
- Radha Aggarwal (79) – from Uttar Pradesh
- Vedavati Kumari (48) – from Andhra Pradesh
- Robin Singh (60) – the pilot, from Gujarat
The only survivor, Bhaskar (51) from Andhra Pradesh, suffered injuries and is currently under medical treatment.
Official Response
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow and assured full support to the affected families. He said:
“May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense loss.”
He also added that the administration has been directed to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to investigate the cause of the crash.
Immediate Rescue Operation
Teams from the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and district administration reached the crash site promptly for relief and rescue work. The District Magistrate of Uttarkashi is also monitoring the situation on-site.
Helicopter Route
The helicopter was flying to Harsil helipad, from where the tourists were to continue their journey to Gangnani by road, a distance of about 30 km.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the cause of the crash, which remains unknown at this point.
