Helicopter carrying six people crashes in northern Indian state
The aircraft reportedly took off from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath on Friday afternoon before losing contact.
Helicopter carrying six people crashes in northern Indian state
A search operation is underway for survivors after a helicopter carrying six people, including five pilgrims, went down in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the helicopter crashed near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district. Rescue teams have been sent to the mountainous area, but the condition of those on board is still unclear.
The aircraft is reported to have taken off from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath on Friday afternoon before contact was lost.
The cause of the crash is also not yet known. The incident took place amid reports of heavy rain and poor visibility in the region.
Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state bordering China and Nepal, is home to some of Hinduism’s holiest shrines and draws millions of pilgrims each year.
Badrinath is one of four sacred sites on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, along with Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Many devotees make their way through steep Himalayan valleys to reach the temples, which are open only part of the year because of severe winter conditions.
Helicopter services have become increasingly popular among pilgrims looking to avoid difficult mountain journeys, but their safety has faced scrutiny after a series of accidents.
Friday’s incident came amid heavy rain in the region. India’s weather department had issued an orange alert for the area, warning of thunderstorms, hail and strong winds.
"I am continuously monitoring the entire incident," he added.
Dhami also said he had ordered that anyone seriously injured be airlifted for treatment.
, seven people were killed when a helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath. Another seven died in a crash on the same pilgrimage route in October 2022.
Several other helicopter accidents were reported during the 2025 pilgrimage season, prompting aviation authorities to tighten safety checks and restrict some operations.