Rescue teams are searching for survivors after a helicopter carrying six people crashed in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, according to officials. The aircraft was transporting five pilgrims when it went down in a mountainous region near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that a joint rescue operation involving the district administration, disaster management department, and State Disaster Response Force had been deployed to the area. Dhami noted that he was continuously monitoring the situation and had ordered any seriously injured individuals to be airlifted for medical treatment.
The aircraft departed from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath on Friday afternoon before losing contact with air traffic controllers. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, which occurred while heavy rain and poor visibility affected the region. India’s meteorological department had previously issued an orange alert warning of thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.
Pilgrimage Route Safety Concerns
Uttarakhand is a Himalayan state sharing borders with China and Nepal, hosting numerous sacred Hindu shrines that draw millions of visitors annually. Badrinath represents one of four holy locations on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, alongside Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, which remain accessible only part of the year due to severe winter weather.
While helicopter services have grown popular among pilgrims wishing to bypass arduous mountain routes, safety has drawn increased scrutiny following multiple crashes. A helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath in June 2025, resulting in seven fatalities, while another crash claimed seven lives along the same route in October 2022. Additional incidents during the 2025 pilgrimage season led aviation authorities to impose stricter safety checks and operational restrictions.
The condition of the six people on board the aircraft remains unconfirmed as rescue teams navigate the challenging terrain.
