Media reports helicopter collision murdering seven people in northern India

(MENAFN) A helicopter went down in India's northern state of Uttarakhand on Sunday morning, killing all seven people on board, including a two-year-old, according to media reports. The incident marks the fifth such accident in the state since April.

The victims were on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath, a revered Hindu shrine located in the Himalayan mountains. The aircraft crashed near Gaurikund, at an altitude of about 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), the Indian Express reported.

Local police have opened a case against Aryan Aviation, the company that operated the flight, alleging “culpable homicide not amounting to murder.” The authorities have also cited “gross negligence” and procedural violations, including taking off earlier than scheduled, particularly during poor visibility conditions.

According to media reports, each operator is required to appoint a person responsible for complying with flying schedules and regulations. All helicopter services in the area have been temporarily suspended following the incident.

Additionally, two pilots have been suspended for six months for flying in unfavorable conditions, state authorities said. Helicopters are frequently used by Hindu pilgrims to travel to the Char Dham, a group of four holy sites in the Himalayan range, which includes Kedarnath.

The state plans to set up a real-time command center to track aircraft movements under official supervision. Only experienced, high-altitude pilots will be allowed to fly after a thorough review, authorities added.

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