India has suffered a second aviation tragedy in under a week, following the deaths of 241 passengers in an Air India crash.
A helicopter carrying seven people, including a two-year-old child and the pilot, crashed in the northern state of Uttarakhand, with no survivors.
According to BBC, the Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter was operating along the Char Dham pilgrimage route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi when it lost contact shortly after takeoff on Sunday morning.
Authorities confirmed the aircraft crashed near Gaurikund, a well-known destination for pilgrims in the Himalayan foothills.
Emergency responders, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), quickly arrived at the scene. All six passengers and the pilot were confirmed dead, and their bodies have been recovered.
This incident follows closely on the heels of India’s deadliest aviation disaster in recent years. Just days earlier, Air India Flight AI171 bound for London crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad, killing 270 people, including several on the ground.
That flight crashed in a residential area, hitting a hospital building and leaving only one survivor. DNA testing is ongoing to identify all the victims.
In response to the two tragic events, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) faces mounting pressure to strengthen aviation safety measures.
On Sunday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the suspension of all helicopter services on the Char Dham route pending an emergency review of flight safety, operator compliance, and pilot training in mountainous regions.
“There have been three emergency landings and two crashes in just six weeks. We cannot take any more chances,” said Bansidhar Tripathi, the state’s Director-General of Information.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading both investigations. The black box from the Air India crash has already been recovered, with investigators hoping it will shed light on the cause. A formal inquiry has also been ordered into Sunday’s helicopter crash.
“This is a time of deep sorrow. We must identify any lapses and ensure accountability. The lives lost must not be in vain,” Dhami stated.