Seven Killed in Kedarnath Helicopter Crash

Mangalore Today News Network

Kedarnath, June 15, 2025: Seven people, including the pilot, lost their lives when a helicopter flying from Kedarnath temple to Guptkashi crashed in a forested area between Gaurikund and Sonprayag early this morning. The Aryan Aviation chopper went down during a routine 10-minute journey at 5:20 a.m., according to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA).

The victims included six pilgrims—five adults and one child—from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, along with the pilot. Initial reports suggest technical issues and poor weather conditions as the likely causes of the crash.

Local residents, out collecting fodder, spotted the crash site and alerted authorities. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are en route to recover the bodies and investigate the incident.

This marks the fifth aviation incident near Kedarnath since the temple’s portals opened on May 2. On June 7, another helicopter en route to Kedarnath made an emergency landing on a highway due to a technical fault. The incident, which narrowly avoided disaster, left the pilot with minor injuries while five passengers escaped unharmed.

Authorities are expected to review aviation safety measures for the region in light of the recurring incidents.