Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: Major accident in Gaurikund, helicopter coming from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashes; seven dead

Rescue and relief personnel at the site of the helicopter crash near Gaurikund-Photo-PTI

Helicopter Crash in Kedarnath Today: A major accident took place on Sunday June 15, 2025 during the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand. A helicopter coming from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi in the Gaurikund area has crashed. Seven people, including a 23-month-old child, have died in the tragic accident.

A major accident has happened in Gaurikund area of ​​Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. On Sunday June 15, 2025 morning, a helicopter going from Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi on Kedarnath route crashed near Gaurikund. A total of seven people were on board the helicopter. All seven people died in the tragic accident, a 23-month-old child is also among the dead. NDRF and SDRF teams have also reached. Helicopter service has been stopped till further orders.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami held a virtual high-level meeting with senior officials from the CM residence after the helicopter accident between Kedarnath-Gaurikund. The state Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Secretary, CEO of UCADA, Garhwal Commissioner and other senior officials are present in the high-level meeting. According to the information, a helicopter of Aryan Company crashed on Sunday June 15, 2025 morning. This accident happened in Gaurikund area. The incident is said to have happened at 5.30 am. Bad weather is being cited as the reason for the helicopter crash.

Helicopter nodal officer Rahul Chaubey and district disaster management officer Nandan Singh Rajwar have confirmed the helicopter crash. Women of Nepali origin who were cutting grass above Gaurikund reported the helicopter crash.

According to information, seven people have died in the tragic accident. A couple and their 23-month-old child are also included, the Jaiswal family is said to be from Maharashtra. Two people are local, Vinod Negi and Vikram Singh Rawat are included. Vikram Singh Rawat was an employee of BKTC.

The deceased include Rajkumar Jaiswal, Shraddha Jaiswal, Kashi Jaiswal, Tusti Singh, Vinod, Vikram Singh and Captain Rajiv. The bodies are reported to be badly burnt. It is being told that the helicopter has fallen in the forest above Gauri Mai Khark.

These people died

1. Vikram (46) resident of village Ransi, tehsil Ukhimath, district Rudraprayag
2. Vinod Devi (66) resident of house number 429, civil line 2, Bijnor Ram Bag Colony, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh
3. Tusti Singh (19) resident of house number 429, civil line 2, Bijnor Ram Bag Colony, Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh.
4. Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41) resident of Vani Nandepera Road, Sain Mandir, Maharashtra.
5. Sharda Rajkumar Jaiswa (35) resident of Vani Nandepera Road, Sain Mandir, Maharashtra.
6. Kashi (23 months old girl) resident, Vani Nandepera Road, Sain Mandir, Maharashtra.
7. Captain Rajiv, Rec. Rajasthan. (Aryan Avashan)

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed grief over the helicopter accident. He posted on X and wrote that very sad news has been received about the helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. SDRF, local administration and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the passengers.

Taking seriously the helicopter accidents in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued strict instructions regarding helicopter operations. The Chief Minister said 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 getting accurate weather information before flight should be made mandatory. The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee of technical experts, which will prepare the SOP after thoroughly reviewing 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.

Sonika, CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), said that the rescue operation is going on and our shuttle services have been stopped in view of the weather conditions in the valley. Almost all helicopters are engaged in the rescue operation.

Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the place where the helicopter crashed is a seven kilometer trekking route. There were six people on board, including pilot Chauhan, in the accident. Among the passengers was a child, and one was an employee of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee.

AAIB will investigate the accident
The helicopter accident will be investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). DGCA says that as a precautionary measure, it has already reduced the frequency of helicopter operations to Char Dham and is monitoring and reviewing the operations for further action.

Emergency landing of helicopter on highway

Earlier, on June 7, 2025 while taking off for Kedarnath from Badasu helipad in Kedarghati, the helicopter developed a technical fault and the pilot made an emergency landing on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway. During this, the pilot suffered a back injury. All five passengers on board the helicopter were safe. The pilot was admitted to the hospital, where he was referred to a higher center after first aid.

On June 7 at 1.02 pm, a helicopter of Crystal Company took off for Kedarnath from Badasu helipad with five passengers. The helicopter was barely able to rise two meters above the helipad when some technical fault occurred, sensing which the pilot made an emergency landing on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway just below the helipad. Due to which the tail of the helicopter got damaged and fell on a car parked on the road. Also, the front portion of the shop was damaged due to the helicopter’s wings. Incidentally, no vehicle or pedestrian was passing on the highway at that time.

Helicopter crashes in Uttarkashi; Six passengers including the pilot die in the tragic accident

Earlier, a helicopter crashed in Uttarkashi district on the morning of May 8 , 2025 . Six people including the pilot died in that accident. While one injured was referred to AIIMS Rishikesh. As soon as the information of the accident was received, the police-administration as well as the disaster management team reached the spot.