Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash: 7 On Board Dead In Mishap Near Kedarnath, CM Dhami Holds Virtual High-Level Meet

Seven people who were on the helicopter that crashed in Uttarakhand died on the spot, as per the SDRF.

Photo Credit: ANI/ SDRF

Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash: A helicopter with seven people on board, which had gone missing earlier in Gaurikund, crashed on Sunday morning. The news agency ANI reported, citing the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), that all individuals who were on board have died. The incident spot was in a "very inaccessible" and dense forest area. 

Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) informed that the helicopter was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi. 

#BREAKING : केदारनाथ में एक और हेलीकॉप्टर क्रैश, गौरीकुंड के पास हादसा, 5 लोग हेलीकॉप्टर में थे सवार #Kedarnath #HelicopterCrash | #ZeeNews @akhileshanandd @_poojaLive pic.twitter.com/Jg0lJBVFfS

— Zee News (@ZeeNews) June 15, 2025

UCADA added that the passengers were from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra and that rescue operations at the site were carried out. 

UCADA said, "Today, at around 5:20 am, a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, has been reported to have crashed near Gaurikund. There were six passengers, including the pilot (5 adults and 1 child). The passengers in the helicopter are from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. In view of relief and rescue, NDRF and SDRF teams have been dispatched to the site of the incident."

Uttarakhand helicopter crash | Today, at around 5:20 am, a helicopter, which was going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, has been reported to have crashed near Gaurikund. There were six passengers, including the pilot (5 adults and 1 child). The passengers in the helicopter… pic.twitter.com/AVGtuxWKGj

— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2025

According to ANI, Uttarakhand ADG Law and Order, Dr. V Murugeshan, said, "A helicopter going from Dehradun to Kedarnath has gone missing in Gaurikund. The helicopter went missing between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund."

Inspector General (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop said, "The helicopter that crashed had taken off for Gaurikund after taking devotees to Kedarnath. There were seven people on board. The place where this accident took place is a very remote area. Police and SDRF teams have left for the spot." 

CM Dhami's Action

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reacted to the crash and informed that the incident is of Rudraprayag district. He added that the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), local administration, and other rescue teams are conducting rescue operations.

जनपद रुद्रप्रयाग में हेलीकॉप्टर के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने का अत्यंत दुःखद समाचार प्राप्त हुआ है। एसडीआरएफ, स्थानीय प्रशासन एवं अन्य रेस्क्यू दल राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों में जुटे हैं।

बाबा केदार से सभी यात्रियों के सकुशल होने की कामना करता हूँ।

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) June 15, 2025

CM Dhami also held a virtual high-level meeting with senior officials from the CM residence after the helicopter crash between Kedarnath and Gaurikund.

State Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Secretary, UCADA CEO, Garhwal Commissioner, and other senior officials were present in the virtual meeting.

The news agency also informed about the "strict" instructions issued by CM Dhami regarding helicopter operations. He has instructed that a strict SOP should be prepared for the operation of heli services in the state, in which a complete check of the technical condition of the helicopter and taking accurate weather information before the flight should be made mandatory. 

Constitution Of Committee 

CM Dhami has also directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee of technical experts, which will prepare the SOP after a thorough review of all the technical and safety aspects of heli operations. This committee will ensure that the operation of heli services is completely safe, transparent, and as per the prescribed standards. 

DGCA's Action 

As per ANI, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) informed that the Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter VT-BKA operating flight on sector Shri Kedarnath ji- Aryan Helipad, Guptkanshi, was involved in the mishap on Sunday. 

As a precautionary measure, the DGCA reduced the frequency of helicopter operations to Char Dham and carried out enhanced surveillance and reviewed the operation for any further action. 

There were five passengers, one infant, and one crew member on board, according to the DGCA. 

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) would investigate the accident. 

(with ANI inputs)