Dehradun: Tragedy struck Uttarakhand early Sunday morning as a helicopter belonging to Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd crashed near Gaurikund in the Kedarghati region, killing all seven people on board. The chopper was en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi when it went down shortly after takeoff, reportedly due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions.

The incident occurred in a remote forested area between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan. Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar confirmed that bad weather contributed to the crash. The helicopter caught fire after impact, further complicating rescue operations.

Inspector General (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop said that the crash site is located in a difficult-to-access terrain. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police have been dispatched for relief and recovery efforts.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the loss of lives in a statement posted on social media platform `X`. “Very sad news has been received about a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. 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 travellers,” he said.

This is the latest in a string of helicopter-related incidents in the state. On May 8, a crash in Uttarkashi district claimed six lives, and on June 7, another helicopter bound for Kedarnath made an emergency landing due to a technical fault.

In response to the recent spate of accidents, Chief Minister Dhami has ordered the immediate formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopter services in the state. The SOP will mandate rigorous technical inspections and accurate weather assessments prior to every flight.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that a committee of technical experts will be formed under the Chief Secretary to conduct an in-depth review of all heli operations and draft the new safety protocol. The aim is to ensure that helicopter services operate in a safe, transparent manner in full compliance with aviation standards.

As the state grapples with the aftermath of the crash, authorities have reiterated the urgent need for stricter safety regulations to prevent further tragedies in Uttarakhand’s treacherous mountain terrain.

Himalayan Live Bureau

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