Badrinath helicopter crash: 6 killed as chopper crashes near Joshimath; CM Dhami orders probe | India News

A helicopter crash near Chayee village in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, claimed six lives, including the pilot, while flying from Badrinath to Sahastradhara in Dehradun amid adverse weather conditions.

The six on board were identified as pilot Capt Himanshu Sabharwal and five passengers, all Karnataka residents: Pratapa, Arun Salunke, V B Shankar Gowda, Sudhir K, and HS Nataraja. Officials have not provided further details about the passengers.

Rescue and search operations were launched with joint teams from the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army engaged at the crash site. Efforts focused on reaching the inaccessible mountainous terrain and transporting bodies to the nearest road.

The helicopter, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation Pvt Ltd and bearing call sign VT-HCX, reportedly lost contact and its tracking system stopped showing location while over the Joshimath valley. The aircraft had departed Badrinath at around 1:14 pm for Dehradun.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a detailed investigation into the crash, instructing officials to examine all aspects and determine causes. He urged relief assistance for affected families as rescue operations continued.

Two UCADA helicopters were deployed for aerial reconnaissance, while teams from the Army, ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, police, and district administration participated in ground and air search and rescue efforts. District officials reported the crash occurred near Chayee village in the Jyotirmath (Joshimath) area.