Airforce MI17 rescue chopper crashes in Uttarakhand, 8 dead

An MI17 chopper carrying pilgrims during a rescue sortie has crashed.

The chopper which was engaged in rescue operations in Gaurikund was reportedly carrying three civilians and five crew members when it crashed, the report said, adding that it had been returning from a rescue mission from Kedarnath.

“One Mi-17 V5 chopper on a rescue mission from Gauchar to Guptkashi and Kedarnath while returning from Kedarnath crashed north of Gaurikund,” an IAF spokesperson said.

Eight persons onboard, including five crew members, suffered fatal injuries in the mishap, she said in Delhi. A Court of Inquiry has been order to investigate the crash, the spokesperson said.

The IAF said its operations in the area will continue.

IAF had started inducting Mi-17 V5 choppers only last year after 80 of them were ordered from Russia. The cause of the crash is still not known and rescue crew are en route to the site of the accident. However unconfirmed reports said that fog could have been the reason for the crash.

There is no confirmation of any survivors from the crash, the report stated.

Bad weather has been hindering rescue operations for the last 48 hours with intermittent rain and low visibility making it impossible for air sorties to take place. The choppers had been flying in a ‘window’ of fair weather to get out people from the area.

Around 60-70 people are still stranded in Kedarnath.

This is the second incident of a helicopter crash this week inUttarakhand. A private helicopter carrying relief materials for the rain-affected people in Rudraprayag district had crashed on Sunday near Gaurikund leaving the pilot injured.

With inputs from PTI