A tragic helicopter crash near Gaurikund, Uttarakhand, has claimed the lives of seven people, including the pilot and five pilgrims traveling to Kedarnath. The incident occurred on June 15, 2025, when an Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd chopper lost control due to severe weather conditions and crashed into a forest area.
Crash Details & Cause
The helicopter took off from Kedarnath at 5:30 AM, heading toward Guptkashi, but crashed shortly after departure. Officials believe poor visibility and bad weather were the primary causes of the accident. The crash site, located 5 km above Gaurikund, was difficult to access, delaying rescue operations.
Victims Identified
The deceased include:
Shraddha Rajkumar Jaiswal (35) – Maharashtra
Kashi (2) – Maharashtra
Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41) – Gujarat
Vikram Singh Rawat – Uttarakhand
Vinood Devi (66) – Uttar Pradesh
Tushti Singh (19) – Uttar Pradesh
Pilot Capt Rajveer Singh Chauhan
Government Response & Safety Measures
Following the crash, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a temporary suspension of helicopter services in the Char Dham region. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation, and officials are reviewing aviation safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
The Uttarakhand helicopter crash highlights the risks of flying in extreme weather conditions. Authorities are now focusing on improving safety measures for pilgrimage flights, ensuring better weather monitoring and flight regulations.