Helicopter crash near Gaurikund during Char Dham Yatra, all onboard killed

A Sacred Journey Ends in Tragedy

A serene Sunday morning in Uttarakhand’s holy hills turned into a nightmare. While pilgrims passed along the holy Char Dham Yatra, tragedy struck some near Gaurikund and shattered hearts and left families grieving.

Helicopter Crashes Near Gaurikund

At Gaurikund in the Rudraprayag district, a helicopter crashed on its way back to Guptkashi from the revered Kedarnath Dham. Pilgrims and crew, seven pilgrims and crew in all, were aboard, each one embarking on a journey prayed for would be heavenly. But fate had otherwise. A 23-month-old infant was among the deceased.

Locals Shocked by Sudden Disaster

Residents, they could hear a massive boom within the peaceful mountain breeze. Within seconds, there was smoke coming up in the air from the wooded slope upon which the helicopter crashed. Rescue teams, both SDRF and NDRF, were dispatched to the site. It was too late, however. There were to be no survivors.

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A Dark Cloud Over the Char Dham Yatra

It wasn’t merely a crash. It was a loss mourned deeply throughout the region and beyond. Char Dham Yatra, one of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimages, receives thousands annually in search of divine peace. But now, this accident has tainted the yatra’s peaceful beauty.

Investigation Underway

Agencies are trying to find out what caused the crash. Weather here can change in a whim, blue sky to cloud in a few minutes. Pilot mistake or technical error? The answers will emerge soon. For now, it’s grief, condoling with families, and remembering the lives lost on what was supposed to be a serene voyage.

Families Shattered by the Loss

Individuals who had bid farewells to those they loved in smiles and prayers are now enduring agonizing pain. A child who had just started living is gone. These are not figures, but they were human beings with past, hopes, and ambitions.

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Nation Mourns Loss

While the rescue attempts are still ongoing and investigations establish the facts, the state and the nation mourn this unfortunate loss.