A tragic helicopter crash near the Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand early on Sunday morning, June 15, claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including six pilgrims and the pilot.

The accident occurred shortly after the chopper took off from Kedarnath for Guptkashi at around 5:30 am, news agency PTI reported.

According to Rudraprayag district disaster management officer Nandan Singh Rajwar, the crash took place above the Gaurikund forest area, where visibility had significantly deteriorated due to inclement weather.

The helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, went down between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan in the Kedarghati region and caught fire after impact.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the incident on social media, stating that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies have been deployed for relief and rescue operations at the crash site.

“Very sad news has been received about the helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. The SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the passengers,” he wrote on X.

This is the second helicopter tragedy in Uttarakhand in recent weeks. On May 8, six people lost their lives when a chopper en route to Gangotri Dham crashed in the Uttarkashi district.

Earlier this month, on June 7, another helicopter headed to Kedarnath was forced to make an emergency landing on a road shortly after takeoff due to a technical fault. While the pilot sustained injuries, the five pilgrims on board were safely rescued.

The latest crash raises serious concerns about flight safety in the region, especially during the Char Dham Yatra season when thousands of pilgrims undertake the journey through challenging weather and terrain.

An investigation into the cause of Sunday’s crash is expected to follow.