Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/RUDRAPRAYAG
A major tragedy struck the Char Dham Yatra route on Sunday evening when a helicopter operated by Aryan Heli Aviation crashed while flying from Kedarnath to Guptkashi. The incident occurred around 5:30 PM and is suspected to have been caused by sudden bad weather and dense cloud cover in the region.
According to official sources, the helicopter lost contact shortly after takeoff. It was later confirmed to have crashed at a location called Gauri Mai Khark, approximately 5 kilometers above Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district.
A video captured by locals at the crash site shows the helicopter engulfed in flames, confirming the severity of the incident. The SDRF team was the first to reach the spot, while rescue teams from Sonprayag Police Station and DDRF have also rushed to the area.
As per preliminary information, the seven people onboard the ill-fated helicopter were:
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Sharddha Rajkumar Jaiswal (35) – Maharashtra
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Kashi (2-year-old child) – Maharashtra
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Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41) – Gujarat
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Vikram – BKTC Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
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Vinood Devi (66) – Uttar Pradesh
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Tusthi Singh (19) – Uttar Pradesh
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Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan – Pilot
Eyewitnesses and locals report that the helicopter appeared to lose control midair before crashing and catching fire.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed officials to ensure swift rescue and relief operations. “This is a heartbreaking tragedy. My prayers are with the victims and their families,” he said.
This marks the third helicopter incident during the 2025 Char Dham Yatra, prompting serious questions about flight safety in the region. An official investigation has been ordered.
