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RETURN JOURNEY FROM BADRINATH TURNS FATAL ! HELICOPTER CRASH CLAIMS SIX LIVES
Uttarakhand : A pilgrimage that began with prayers and hopes of a safe return has ended in heartbreaking tragedy. Six lives have been lost in a helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand, leaving families devastated and raising fresh concerns over helicopter safety in the Himalayan region.
A helicopter carrying six people, including the pilot and five passengers, crashed near Chai village in the Joshimath area of Chamoli district while returning from Badrinath Dham. According to the information provided, the aircraft was operated by Trans Bharat Aviation and bore the registration number VT-HCX. It had taken off from Badrinath at around 1:14 pm. While crossing the mountainous region near Joshimath, the helicopter reportedly disappeared from the tracking system, following which contact with the aircraft was lost.
Initially reported missing, the helicopter was later located during the search operation, and reports confirmed that all six people on board had died. The five passengers have been identified as Prathapa, Arun Salunke, Shankargouda Vijji, Sudhir K. and H.S. Nagaraja. They were reportedly residents of Bengaluru.
Following the incident, administrative teams, disaster management personnel and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed to the area to carry out search and rescue operations. An Army unit was also reportedly involved in the response. Chamoli Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash confirmed that rescue operations had been initiated in the region.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. In a social media post, he said he had received the heartbreaking news of the helicopter crash near Chai village, close to Joshimath. He stated that the district administration, Disaster Management Department and SDRF were jointly carrying out the response operation and that he was personally monitoring the situation. The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure necessary assistance and immediate arrangements for those affected.
An aviation official said the helicopter vanished from the tracking system while crossing the mountainous stretch near Joshimath. The company coordinated with the Chamoli district administration and deployed search and rescue teams, SDRF personnel and other support. An additional rescue helicopter was also planned, subject to weather conditions.
The tragedy has cast a shadow of grief over the pilgrimage region. Families who were waiting for their loved ones to return from the sacred Badrinath Dham are now facing an unimaginable loss. The exact circumstances and cause of the crash remain to be established through the relevant investigation.
