Seven Dead in Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash

All seven people on board, including the pilot, a temple committee employee, and a family with a young child, were killed in a helicopter crash in Uttarakhand, India, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The aircraft, operated by Aryan Aviation, was transporting pilgrims from the Kedarnath temple to Guptkashi when it crashed near Gaurikund shortly after takeoff at around 5:30 a.m., reportedly due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility in the mountainous region.

Victims Identified:

• Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan (pilot, former military officer)
• Rajkumar Jaiswal, Shraddha Jaiswal, and their 23-month-old daughter Kashi (pilgrims from Maharashtra)
• Vikram Singh Rawat (temple committee employee)
• Vinod Devi and Tushti Singh (pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh)

Cause and Response

A preliminary investigation suggests the crash was caused by thick fog and challenging terrain, leading to a loss of control and subsequent fire. Rescuers recovered all bodies from the wreckage. Helicopter services in the region were suspended for two days, and a high-level inquiry was ordered to develop new safety protocols for future operations.