Uttarakhand | June 15, 2025
In a tragic incident early this morning, a helicopter en route from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi crashed near Gaurikund at around 5:20 AM, according to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
There were 7 people on board. SDRF teams and local authorities rushed to the site as soon as the crash was reported.
Eyewitnesses from nearby villages said they heard a loud explosion followed by smoke in the hills near Gaurikund. “It was still dark, and suddenly there was a noise that shook the valley. We feared the worst,” said a local shopkeeper from Sonprayag.
As of now, the identities of the passengers and their condition have not been officially confirmed. Rescue teams are battling difficult weather and steep terrain as they work tirelessly to reach the crash site and search for survivors
The helicopter was part of the Char Dham Yatra services, which regularly shuttle pilgrims between high-altitude religious sites and nearby towns. Officials have launched an investigation to find out the exact reason behind the helicopter crash. Although the exact cause is still unknown, it is being speculated that low visibility and a possible technical malfunction may have led to the incident.
The Uttarakhand government has assured strict scrutiny and enhanced safety measures for all ongoing and future heli-services in the Char Dham region.