Helicopter Crashes Near Gangotri in Uttarkashi; 5 Feared Dead

An AeroTrans helicopter carrying seven people crashed near Gangotri in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district today, with at least five passengers reported dead in the tragic incident, according to preliminary reports.

The helicopter, with registration number VT-OXF, was en route from Sahastradhara helipad to Kharsali helipad when it went down in the forested area near Gangaani. The aircraft was being piloted by Captain Robin Singh, according to the passenger manifest record.

The manifest shows six passengers were on board: Vinit Gupta, Arvind Agarwal, Vipin Agarwal, Pinki Agarwal, Rashmi, and Kishore Jadhav, all Indian nationals. The helicopter was scheduled to arrive at Kharsali, a base for pilgrims traveling to Gangotri Dham as part of the popular Char Dham Yatra circuit.

Rescue teams have been immediately dispatched to the crash site, which is located in challenging terrain. The difficult access to the area is complicating rescue efforts, with teams having to navigate forests and mountainous landscape to reach the wreckage.

The incident comes during the busy pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand, where helicopter services are frequently used by devotees to reach remote temples located in the Himalayan region. The Char Dham Yatra, which includes visits to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath temples, attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.

The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time. Authorities have not yet released information about weather conditions or potential technical issues that might have contributed to the accident.

This incident follows several other aviation accidents in the region over the years, highlighting the challenges of operating aircraft in the Himalayan terrain with its unpredictable weather patterns and high altitudes.

Local officials are coordinating the rescue operations and are expected to provide updates as more information becomes available. The families of those on board are being contacted by authorities.