June 14, 2025: A tragic helicopter crash occurred early Sunday morning near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand, claiming the lives of all seven people onboard, including the pilot. The chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, was en route from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi when it went down around 5:20 am.
According to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), the accident took place in a densely forested area above Gaurikund. Officials believe that poor visibility caused by bad weather likely contributed to the crash.
Nandan Singh Rajwar, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer, confirmed that the incident occurred amid low visibility and adverse weather conditions. Inspector General of the Garhwal Range, Rajiv Swaroop, noted that the crash site was in a remote region, making rescue efforts particularly challenging.
The helicopter reportedly caught fire after crashing between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan in the Kedarghati area. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police rushed to the site to begin relief and recovery operations.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences over the incident 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,” the CM stated, adding that his prayers are with the families of those affected.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of the crash.