Uttarakhand, India – In a dramatic and tense situation in the skies over Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, a malfunctioning helicopter being airlifted by an Indian Air Force (IAF) MI-17 helicopter crashed near the Mandakini River in Lincholi early Saturday morning. The incident, caught on camera, saw the damaged helicopter fall into the valley below, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.
🚨 Breaking News || Helicopter crash in #Kedarnath #UttrakhandNews https://t.co/EVuIkGLFDQ
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The Incident: A Mid-Air Emergency
The helicopter, operated by Crystal Aviation Pvt Ltd, was being transported to the Gauchar airstrip for repairs after developing a technical fault in May. However, as the IAF MI-17 helicopter began its journey, it encountered difficulties in maintaining balance due to the combined weight of the defective helicopter and adverse wind conditions.
Rahul Chaubey, District Tourism Officer of Rudraprayag, explained, “As soon as the MI-17 covered a little distance, it started losing balance due to the weight of the helicopter and wind conditions, forcing the pilot to drop it near the Tharu camp, a remote area with no human settlement". The quick decision by the MI-17 pilot to release the damaged helicopter over an uninhabited area ensured there was no loss of life or damage to property.
Background: A Helicopter with a History
The Crystal Aviation helicopter had made an emergency landing near the Kedarnath helipad on May 24, 2024, due to technical faults. At that time, the helicopter was ferrying pilgrims to the Kedarnath temple, one of the four sites of the Chardham Yatra, and had to make a sudden landing. Fortunately, all seven people on board, including six pilgrims, escaped unhurt.
Following the incident in May, the helicopter had been grounded at the Kedarnath helipad. It was being transported to the Gauchar airstrip for repair work when the unfortunate crash occurred on Saturday.
Immediate Response and Ongoing Inquiry
Upon receiving news of the crash, a rescue team, including members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), was dispatched to the scene to monitor the situation. The IAF has also launched an official inquiry to determine the cause of the loss of balance and to prevent such incidents in the future.
An IAF spokesperson stated, "An IAF Mi-17 V5, while airlifting a damaged Kestrel civil helicopter in Uttarakhand, had to jettison the load due to flight safety reasons. The crew safely released the load over an unpopulated area, ensuring no damage to life or property". The spokesperson also urged the public to refrain from spreading rumors about any casualties, as there were no injuries reported.
Pilgrimage & Safety Concerns Amidst Adverse Conditions
This incident comes amid highlights safety concerns in Uttarakhand, which has been experiencing heavy rainfall, causing landslides and disruptions on the route to Kedarnath. The trek route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath has seen extensive damage, leaving thousands stranded and prompting a massive rescue operation involving both Air Force and private helicopters.
Despite these challenges, the Char Dham Yatra, which began on May 10, continues to draw large numbers of pilgrims. So far, over 33 lakh devotees have visited the Himalayan temples, including Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath.
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A Call for Caution & Safety Measures
In light of the recent incidents, authorities are urging pilgrims and tourists to exercise caution and stay informed about weather conditions before undertaking the journey to Kedarnath and other Himalayan shrines. They also appeal to the public not to spread misinformation regarding the crash, emphasizing that no lives were lost.
The investigation by the Indian Air Force will be crucial in understanding the causes behind the incident and ensuring that similar situations are handled with even greater safety in the future. For now, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of pilgrims and residents as they navigate the complex terrain of Uttarakhand’s revered sites.
Stay tuned with "In Bulletin", for more futher detailed updates on this Incident.>>
