Helicopter with seven on board crashes in Uttarkashi’s Gangnani
One person rescued; rescue teams rushed to the site, fate of others unclear
A helicopter with seven persons on board crashed at Gangnani in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, on Thursday morning, claiming five lives and injuring two others, a disaster management officer confirmed. The crash occurred near the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway at around 8:45 am. One person has been rescued, but there is no clarity yet about the fate of the remaining passengers, said Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer Shardul Singh.
The helicopter, operated by the Ahmedabad-based private company AeroTrans Services Pvt Ltd, was a Bell model. The crash prompted swift action from rescue teams, who rushed to the spot. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the civil aviation ministry, has initiated an investigation into the crash.
According to officials, AeroTrans Services operates two Bell helicopters and one Cessna aircraft. AAIB, responsible for investigating aviation accidents in Indian airspace, will look into the details of the crash and recommend safety improvements. Further details regarding the exact cause of the crash are awaited as the investigation unfolds.
