Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: 7 Dead, Including 2-Year-Old; Char Dham Air Services Suspended

Safety Crisis Deepens as Himalayan Helicopter Accidents Mount

Ravi Juneja June 15, 2025Last Updated: June 15, 2025

63,372 4 minutes read

Kedarnath Helicopter Crash Kills 7 Including Toddler | Char Dham Flights Suspended

｜

Reviewed & Published by HH News Desk

New Delhi, June 15: A devastating helicopter crash today near Kedarnath has claimed the lives of seven people, including a 2‑year‑old child, once again casting a shadow over pilgrimage air travel in Uttarakhand. The ill‑fated flight, ferrying pilgrims, went down in a remote Himalayan region between Trijuginarayan and Gaurikund early this morning.

Tragic Mission Ends in Horror

Around 5:20 am on June 15, a helicopter carrying seven individuals—five adults, a website pilot, and a young child—departed Kedarnath en route to Guptkashi. The chopper lost contact amid rugged terrain and reportedly adverse morning weather, crashing near Gaurikund. Rescue teams from SDRF, NDRF, local police, and forest officials mobilised promptly, but as of now, no survivors have been confirmed.

It is now confirmed that all seven on board perished, including a 2‑year‑old child, intensifying the grief and raising urgent questions about the safety of helicopter operations in these high‑altitude zones.

A Child Lost, Families in Shock

Among the dead is a toddler—the youngest victim of this tragedy. Sources indicate the passengers hailed from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The identification process, ongoing through government teams, is being carried out with sensitivity. For families, especially those with the child on board, the crash is coming as a severe blow just days after the Char Dham pilgrimage season began in earnest.

Safety Concerns Amplified

This crash marks the fifth such incident within the past six weeks on the Char Dham helicopter network – previously there were mishaps near Gangotri on May 8, a rotor strike at Badrinath on May 12, a hard landing of an air ambulance at Kedarnath on May 17, and a crash‑landing by Kestrel Aviation on June 7. The DGCA had already imposed restrictions on June 10, reducing flights from nearly 300 a day to about 150 – limiting Kedarnath air‑traffic to two flights per hour from Guptkashi, three from Phata, and four from Sirsi.

Administrative Response: Tightening the Noose

In a decisive move on June 11, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami mandated the exclusive use of twin‑engine helicopters on the Char Dham route and ordered installation of real‑time weather cameras in all valleys, including Kedarnath. CM Dhami stated there must be “no compromise with safety,” prompting audits of past crashes, mandatory helicopter fitness checks, and a requirement for experienced pilots. Authorities are also studying the Vaishno Devi model for ticketing and operations.

Pilgrims and Locals Voice Alarm

With the death of a 2‑year‑old among the victims, public anxiety has surged. Locals and tour‑operators on the ground say air travel is being treated like a point‑to‑point taxi service—flights are frequent, though the terrain is punishing. Even on calm summer mornings, fog and wind swirl unpredictably. Sources quoted in local media describe the region as “potentially dangerous for helicopters” . Char Dham Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat representatives are demanding an investigation into whether operators are cutting corners.

Terrain and Traffic: A Dangerous Mix

Last year’s AAIB report analyzing the October 2022 Kedarnath crash highlighted soaring sortie numbers—over 10,000 in just two months—combined with harsh altitude and weather as key risk factors. Although today’s flight was touted as a “pilgrim shuttle” rather than an emergency air‑ambulance, the sacred nature of the yatra adds pressure to maintain tight schedules during the pilgrimage high season.

What Lies Ahead

Investigators from DGCA, UCADA, and AAIB are expected to descend on the crash site within hours. The wreckage retrieval is proving difficult—forested hills, steep drops, and shifting weather are complicating efforts. Officials have pledged thorough transparency in their investigation and stress that no shortcuts will be taken in the inquiry.

Meanwhile, tickets for helicopter shuttles have been rescheduled or cancelled, leaving pilgrims scrambling for altitude‑testing bus rides and on‑foot treks, despite longstanding infrastructure challenges. The reduction in flights has led to massive delays at helipads—and an increased risk of overcrowding in transit zones.

The Human Toll

In situations like this, cold numbers fail to capture the emotional devastation. A 2‑year‑old child… gone. Parents, perhaps from across the country, their dreams hurtled into disaster in seconds. A pilot and crew who were trusted to guide souls over razor‑edged ridges. And communities who rely on this network for livelihoods, now watching pilgrims hesitate, as fears escalate.

Final Moments Unclear

Details remain scarce: Was it a sudden mechanical failure? Did weather suddenly turn worse? Did navigational aids falter? Or was it pilot decision-making under pressure? Authorities will pore over flight recorders, maintenance logs, weather data, and crew credentials. The urgent questions: could this crash have been prevented? Should helicopter flights over sacred terrain be indefinitely paused until comprehensive safety reforms take root?

That said, authorities continue to assure that the pilgrimage will not come to a halt—and stricter rules are already being imposed. But families and locals wonder: at what human cost?

A Pattern of Peril

Five incidents, five tragedies—do they amount to a systemic failure or simply high‑altitude risks spinning uncontrollably? The administrative reaction is swift, but the scars run deeper. Every failed flight chips away at a nation’s collective peace of mind, especially when faith and fear dance so dangerously together on Himalayan winds.

The region’s dependency on aerial access during monsoon‑fringe seasons is undeniable. Yet, with the death toll mounting—today’s victims including toddlers, parents, and guides—public patience is thinning. Lives lost demand answers.

Stay informed with Hindustan Herald—your go-to source for Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle & more.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and join our Telegram channel @hindustanherald

Author Profile

Ravi Juneja

Journalist at Hindustan Herald | ravi.j@hindustanherald.com | Web

Ravi Juneja is a student journalist currently pursuing his degree from Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. With a passion for factual reporting and public interest stories, he covers a wide spectrum of news at Hindustan Herald, including politics, health, technology, entertainment, and global affairs. Ravi is committed to delivering balanced, research-backed journalism with a strong sense of responsibility and independence.