5 Dead as Helicopter Carrying Kedarnath Pilgrims Crashes: Fifth Such Incident in Recent Weeks

An Aryan Aviation chopper flying from Guptkashi to Kedarnath crashes between Gaurikund and Sonprayag; five dead, one survivor. Technical fault and weather cited as likely causes.

Kedarnath, Uttarakhand – June 15, 2025:
Tragedy struck the Kedarnath pilgrimage route once again as an Aryan Aviation helicopter ferrying pilgrims crashed on Sunday morning in a forested stretch between Gaurikund and Sonprayag, resulting in the death of five of the six people on board. The chopper was en route from Guptkashi to Kedarnath Dham, a flight that typically lasts just ten minutes.

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According to Uttarakhand Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Dr V Murugeshan, six people were on board at the time of the crash. While five have been confirmed dead, one person has reportedly survived, though their condition remains critical.

The helicopter went missing shortly after takeoff, prompting concerns. The wreckage was located by local villagers who had gone into the forest to collect fodder for their cattle. They spotted the crashed chopper and alerted authorities.

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Initial assessments point to a technical malfunction and adverse weather conditions as possible causes of the tragic crash. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched and are currently at the crash site conducting operations and attempting to identify the victims.

This is the fifth helicopter-related accident reported since the portals of the Kedarnath temple opened on May 2, raising serious concerns about aviation safety in the Himalayan pilgrimage corridor.

Pilgrimage to Kedarnath, one of the most revered sites in the Char Dham Yatra, often involves aerial routes due to the difficult terrain. However, the repeated incidents this season have prompted calls for stricter regulatory oversight and better technical checks of the helicopters operating in the region.

Authorities are expected to launch a detailed inquiry into the incident.

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