The Indian Coast Guard said that the incident happened whilst the helicopter was approaching the vessel for the evacuation.
The Mi-8T helicopter took off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano and the crew failed to report at the scheduled time of 04:00 GMT (9:30 am Indian time).
The Mi-8T helicopter took off from a base near the Vachkazhets volcano and the crew failed to report at the scheduled time.
The pilgrimage route had been largely suspended in August due to rain-induced landslides, leaving thousands stranded. Rescue efforts are ongoing with assistance from the Air Force’s Chinook and MI-17 helicopters, along with private choppers.
The yatra to Kedarnath has been put on hold for the time being, with an advisory of the Rudraprayag administration asking pilgrims to wait wherever they are till the route is cleared of debris and repaired. Helpline numbers — 7579257572, 01364-233387 — and emergency number 112 have also been issued.
As per reports, the Rajasthan government has spent Rs 76.46 crore on helicopter and aeroplane services from 2020-21 to 2023-24.
Recognized as one of the most revered sites in Jammu and Kashmir, the Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine attracts nearly one crore devotees annually.
Several weeks following the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives, the two helicopters donated by New Delhi to the island nation are now being consistently utilized, with an MNDF soldier accompanying each operation.
According to an official, the chopper landed a few metres from the helipad at the Himalayan temple in Uttarakhand. Notably, Kedarnath is a pilgrimage site or tirtha dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva.
The Indian side, in a statement released on Tuesday, noted that a Maldivian government official had incorrectly mentioned the landing of a helicopter in Thimarafushi (Thaa Atoll) without the authorization of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Following the incident, Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot to probe the incident. The private chopper was badly damaged in the crash that occurred at Mahad town in Raigad.
Earlier, a video footage of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav enjoying a quick bite of fish fry had raised the hackles of BJP leaders and a section of netizens who cringed at the sight of a non-vegetarian meal during Navratri.
The first batch of around 25 Indian personnel manning a helicopter departed from the island nation ahead of the March 10 deadline. India agreed to replace its military personnel operating the three aviation platforms in the Maldives by May 10 after a high-level meeting in February.
Earlier, reaching these holy sites involved a challenging journey - either a long trek or a combination of car travel and walking, confined to a limited window between May and June or September and October.
A single engine rotary wing flying machine capable of carrying five or more than five passengers along with the minimum personal baggage or equipment at high altitude, request for proposals (RFP) said.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The Seahawk multi-role helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search and rescue and medical evacuation among other operations.
Uttarakhand news: The emergency helicopter services will be indispensable for saving patients during the critical 'golden hour,' soon after an accident, when expert medical care is vital.
Maldivian media reported that the family members urged the President's office for an air ambulance to airlift him from his home in Gaaf Alif Villingili to the capital city, as his condition deteriorated. But the President's office did not respond on time.
As per the information, these choppers will have the capacity to carry at least 18 passengers and the devotees will have to pre-book the helicopter ride. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government is also set to enhance facilities for tourists and pilgrims visiting key destinations in Ayodhya.
Top News
Latest News
