Uttarakhand helicopter carrying six crashes near Joshimath, rescue ops underway
The Trans Bharat Aviation chopper was flying from Badrinath to Dehradun when it crashed near Chai village; the condition of the pilot and five passengers is not yet known
A helicopter carrying six people from Badrinath to Dehradun crashed near Joshimath on Friday afternoon, Uttarakhand disaster management officials said.
Chamoli district officials said rescue teams had rushed to the spot. One pilot and five passengers were on board. The status of those on board was not immediately known.
The helicopter, belonging to a private company, was returning to Dehradun from Badrinath when it crashed around 2.20 pm near Chai village in Chamoli district's Joshimath area, they said.
It is not confirmed yet whether the chopper was on its way back from the Badrinath shrine.
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The district administration further said that the helicopter that belonged to 'Trans Bharat Aviation' crashed into a hillside near the JP Power House. Police, SDRF, Army and ITBP personnel have been dispatched to the site for relief and rescue operations, officials said.
In a post on X, Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "Reports have been received regarding an unfortunate helicopter crash near Chai village, close to Joshimath. A joint rescue operation is being conducted by the district administration, the Disaster Management Department, and the SDRF."
"I am personally monitoring the situation closely. I have issued instructions to ensure that those who are critically injured are immediately airlifted to a higher-level medical facility for better treatment. I pray to God for the safety of the passengers."
(With agency inputs)