Pilot, five pilgrims killed in Uttarakhand helicopter crash
· India · Indian Express, Hindustan Times
A civilian helicopter carrying a pilot and five pilgrims crashed near Hathi Parvat in Chamoli district, killing all six on board. The victims were identified as Bengaluru CCB inspector Arun Salunke, Hassan businessman Prathapa Bachihally Ningaraju linked to the Congress, advocates Sudheer K and Shankargowda VB, and Tumakuru resident H S Nataraj. The aircraft was returning from Shri Badrinath Dham to Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun when it crashed at around 2 pm on Friday amid adverse weather. The Army team recovered all bodies, but dense forest cover and wildlife activity hindered rescue efforts, which will resume early Saturday. The state government grounded the entire fleet of operator Trans Bharat Aviation as a precautionary measure.
Why it matters
The tragedy claims a senior police officer, a businessman with political ties, two lawyers and a civilian, highlighting the risks of pilgrimage air travel in Uttarakhand and prompting immediate safety reviews of local helicopter services. Families of the victims, including a Congress-linked businessman, are left without their loved ones, while the government’s fleet grounding may disrupt vital tourist and pilgrim access in the region.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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