Helicopter Carrying Six People, Including Five Pilgrims, Crashes in Uttarakhand
NEW DELHI: A search and rescue operation is underway after a helicopter carrying six people, including five pilgrims, crashed in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the helicopter went down near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district. Rescue teams have been dispatched to the mountainous area, but the condition of those on board remains unknown.
The aircraft reportedly departed from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath on Friday afternoon before losing contact.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established. The incident occurred amid reports of heavy rainfall and poor visibility in the region.
Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state bordering China and Nepal, is home to several major Hindu pilgrimage sites and attracts millions of devotees each year.
Badrinath is one of the four sacred destinations on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, alongside Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The temples are located in steep Himalayan valleys and remain open for only part of the year due to harsh winter conditions.