On Tuesday morning, October 18, 2022, a chopper from Phata carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashed.
According to Abhinav Kumar, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, “six individuals died in the helicopter crash in Phata, Uttarakhand.”
Nearly two kilometres from the Kedarnath Dham shrine, the helicopter crashed and caught fire in Garud Chatti. The administrative team departed for relief and rescue operations shortly after the horrific tragedy. Officials were informed that a team had been sent to the scene of the accident to conduct relief efforts. The cause of the collision is reportedly due to fog and poor visibility.
According to a senior official in the civil aviation ministry, Aryan Aviation operated the helicopter that crashed.
A senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said, “According to the early information, a Bell 407 helicopter VT-RPN crashed on the way from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, likely owing to adverse weather.”
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the minister of civil aviation, stated that the ministry is in contact with the state administration and is continuously keeping an eye on the issue.
Scindia tweeted, “We are in touch with the State administration to assess the magnitude of the loss, and we are continually following the situation. The helicopter crash in Kedarnath is really terrible.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed his condolences for the loss of those who perished after their chopper crashed in Phata after the unfortunate tragedy was reported.The president tweeted “The news of the death of many pilgrims including the pilot in the helicopter crash near Kedarnath Dham is very sad. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones,”
Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, also expressed his condolences for the tragic incident, saying, “Very sad news has been received of some casualties in the unfortunate helicopter crash at Garuda Chatti near Kedarnath.
SDRF and district administration teams have arrived at the spot for relief and rescue work. A detailed inquiry has been ordered into this tragic incident.”
Kedarnath Dham is a stop on the Char Dham yatra, which pilgrims in the state of Uttarakhand travel to. The Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath sites are all included in the circuit.