Helicopter Carrying Six Crashes in Northern India
Rescue operations are underway after a helicopter carrying five pilgrims and a pilot crashed in the mountainous region of Uttarakhand.
A search for survivors is underway after a helicopter carrying six people crashed in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials stated. The aircraft was carrying five pilgrims and a pilot.
Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the helicopter crashed near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the mountainous area, though the condition of those on board remains unclear.
The helicopter reportedly took off from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath on Friday afternoon before losing contact. The cause of the crash is not yet known. The incident occurred amid reports of heavy rain and poor visibility in the region.
Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state that borders China and Nepal, is home to some of Hinduism's holiest shrines and attracts millions of pilgrims annually. Badrinath is one of the four sacred sites on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. Many devotees travel through steep Himalayan valleys to reach the temples, which are only accessible for part of the year due to harsh winter conditions.