Major Tragedy in Uttarkashi: Helicopter Crashes in Gangnani, 6 Dead, One Critically Injured

Uttarkashi (Utrakhand) : A tragic accident struck Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Wednesday as a helicopter crashed in the Gangnani area, resulting in the death of six passengers. One person was rescued in critical condition and airlifted for emergency medical treatment.

Immediately after the incident, teams from the local administration, police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reached the crash site and launched relief and rescue operations.

Confirming the incident, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated, “A very tragic incident occurred today. A helicopter crashed at Gangnani. There were six passengers and one pilot on board. Upon receiving the information, local police, magistrate, and SDRF teams reached the spot. One person was safely rescued and airlifted, while unfortunately, six people lost their lives.”

Investigation Underway
The exact cause of the helicopter crash is yet to be determined. Teams from the Civil Aviation Department and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) are expected to arrive at the site soon for a detailed investigation. Preliminary assumptions suggest bad weather or technical failure may be involved, though no official confirmation has been made yet.

Following the accident, additional personnel from the police, army, disaster management team, ambulance services, tehsildar, and Bhatwari block officials were dispatched to the location. The crash reportedly occurred around 9:00 AM. The helicopter involved was operated by a private company.

CM Dhami Offers Condolences
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to social media to express his condolences.

“May God grant peace to the souls of those who lost their lives in the accident and give strength to the grieving families to bear this immense loss.”

He added that he has instructed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured and to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.

“I am in constant touch with officials and monitoring the situation closely.”

Government Action
The Chief Minister’s Office is also closely monitoring developments. Contact has been established with the helicopter service provider, and the review of safety protocols has been ordered by the administration.