Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: 7 Killed Including 2 Children, Chardham Heli Services Suspended

A tragic helicopter crash occurred near Kedarnath early this morning around 5:20 AM amid dense fog and adverse weather conditions. The Aryan Aviation helicopter was carrying pilgrims from Kedarnath temple to Gaurikund when it crashed in the forested region between Gaurikund and Sonprayag. All seven onboard, including two children and the pilot, lost their lives in the crash.Preliminary information suggests that bad weather played a major role in the accident. The pilot was reportedly trying to maneuver the helicopter out of the valley when the crash happened. The passengers hailed from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.Authorities, including teams from the NDRF and SDRF, have been deployed for rescue and recovery operations. The aircraft belonged to Aryan Aviation, which operates single-engine helicopters—something that has already drawn scrutiny over safety standards.Concerns have also been raised about overloading, as reports indicate the helicopter was carrying more passengers than recommended. Allegations are emerging that a UKBTC (Uttarakhand Board of Tourism) employee might have boarded without a ticket or under pressure, and that the usual safety norms might have been bypassed.Following this incident—the fourth such tragedy in the last 45 days during the Chardham Yatra—the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority have suspended all helicopter services for the pilgrimage until further notice.Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident and stressed the need for accountability. He has called for a high-level inquiry and emphasized strict enforcement of safety standards in helicopter operations during pilgrimages.