World · South & Central Asia · 1 hr ago
Helicopter carrying six crashes in India's Uttarakhand state
A helicopter carrying six people crashed near Joshimath in India's Uttarakhand state.
Five people on board were pilgrims, and the aircraft had reportedly taken off from Badrinath, a Hindu pilgrimage site.
Rescue teams have been sent to the mountainous area to search for survivors.
Officials have not said whether anyone survived, and the cause of the crash is unknown.
The crash happened amid reports of heavy rain and poor visibility.
Badrinath is one of four sacred temples on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, which draws many visitors to steep Himalayan valleys; the search for survivors is under way.
A helicopter carrying six people crashed near Joshimath in Uttarakhand on Friday afternoon, officials said.
The aircraft was returning from Badrinath to Dehradun when it crashed near Chai village in Chamoli district.
One pilot and five passengers were on board; the BBC reported that five of them were pilgrims.
Rescue operations were under way, but officials had not confirmed the condition of those on board.
The cause of the crash was not known.
- Who
- One pilot and five passengers were on board. The BBC reported that five passengers were pilgrims.
- What
- A helicopter crashed into a hillside.
- When
- Friday afternoon, October 30, 2026. Officials said it crashed around 2.20 p.m.
- Where
- Near Chai village, close to Joshimath in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India.
- Why
- The cause of the crash was not known.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The helicopter took off from Badrinath, according to the BBC.
The helicopter crashed near Chai village in the Joshimath area, officials said.
Rescue operations began, with district officials, the Disaster Management Department and the SDRF working together.
- People on board
- Six: one pilot and five passengers
- Aircraft operator
- Trans Bharat Aviation
- Crash site
- Near Chai village, Joshimath area, Chamoli district
- Reported crash time
- Around 2.20 p.m. on October 30, 2026
- Route
- Badrinath to Dehradun
3 sources
What people are saying
I am personally monitoring the situation closely.
I pray to God for the safety of the passengers.
Posts on X
चाई गांव, जोशीमठ के निकट हेलीकॉप्टर क्रैश होने की दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण सूचना प्राप्त हुई है। जिला प्रशासन, आपदा प्रबंधन विभाग, एसडीआरएफ द्वारा संयुक्त रूप से रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन चलाया जा रहा है। स्वयं भी पूरे घटनाक्रम की निरंतर निगरानी कर रहा हूं। गंभीर रूप से घायलों को तत्काल एयरलिफ्ट