Major accident in Uttarkashi: Helicopter crashes in Gangani, 6 pilgrims killed, 1 seriously injured
Utrrakhand
A very sad and serious accident has come to light in Uttarkashi, a border district of Uttarakhand. During the Chardham Yatra, a helicopter crashed near Gangaani, in which 6 people including the pilot died tragically, while a passenger was seriously injured.
The incident is reported to have happened around 8 am. At the time of the accident, there were a total of 7 people on board the helicopter – 6 passengers and 1 pilot. The helicopter belonged to Aerotrans Services Pvt. Ltd., whose registration number is VT-OXF. It was on a flight from Sahastradhara helipad, Dehradun to Kharsali. But on the way, this helicopter crashed in the forest in Gangaani area of Uttarkashi district.
List of the dead:
Kala Soni, 61 years, Mumbai
Vijaya Reddy, 57 years, Mumbai
Ruchi Agarwal, 56 years, Mumbai
Radha Agarwal, 79 years, Uttar Pradesh
Vedavathi Kumari, 48 years, Andhra Pradesh
Robin Singh, 60 years, Gujarat (pilot)
Injured passengers:
Mastu Bhaskar, 51 years, Andhra Pradesh (seriously injured)
As soon as the information about the incident was received, the administration and relief-rescue teams immediately left for the spot. Police, SDRF, Army, QRT, 108 Ambulance, Tehsildar Bhatwadi and other administrative units together started relief work. It is being told that the helicopter fell into a ditch about 200-250 meters deep, which caused a lot of difficulties in the rescue operation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep condolences over the accident and has directed the concerned officials to provide immediate relief and treatment. He said that the state government stands with the victim families and all possible medical assistance is being provided to the injured.
The injured passenger is being airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, where his treatment is going on.
This accident once again highlights the challenges of air services in inaccessible Himalayan regions. It is a big responsibility to operate air services carefully during the Chardham Yatra amid heavy rush of pilgrims and bad weather conditions.
