Tragedy struck on Thursday morning when a helicopter traveling from Dehradun to Gangotri Dham crashed near Gangnani in the Uttarkashi district, resulting in six fatalities and one person critically injured. The incident took place around 8:45 AM near the Gangotri National Highway.
The ill-fated helicopter, owned by Heli Aerotrans, had departed earlier from the Sahastradhara helipad and was en route to Harsil, a popular destination along the Char Dham Yatra circuit. Tragically, the helicopter crashed into a gorge 200-250 meters deep, killing five passengers and the pilot on the spot. One of the injured, a 51-year-old man from Andhra Pradesh, was transported for medical care and is currently undergoing treatment.
Upon receiving the distress call, a coordinated rescue operation was quickly launched. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire department, and local police reached the crash site within minutes. The crash site, difficult to access due to its location in a steep gorge, required rescue personnel to carefully descend into the ravine to recover the victims and assess the scene.
Among the deceased, four passengers were from Mumbai, while the other two were from Andhra Pradesh. The passengers included five women and one man, the helicopter’s pilot, Captain Robin Singh.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences following the tragedy, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in the helicopter crash near Gangnani. Our SDRF and district administration teams acted promptly to initiate rescue operations, and all possible assistance is being extended to those affected. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.”
The Char Dham Yatra, which includes the Gangotri Dham, attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, and incidents like these have raised concerns about air travel safety within the region.
As investigations continue, local authorities are working to provide support to the families of the deceased and ensure the injured receive necessary medical attention.
Nisham Ismail