Helicopter Crash Near Kedarnath: Tragedy Strikes Again. On June 15, 2025, a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Kedarnath en route to Guptkashi, killing all seven people on board. the deceased have been identified as Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan, the pilot and a resident of Jaipur; Vikram Rawat, 45, a BKTC representative from Rasi, Ukhimath; Vinod Devi, 66, from Uttar Pradesh; Trishti Singh, 19, also from Uttar Pradesh; Rajkumar Jaiswal, 41, from Maharashtra; his wife Shraddha Jaiswal, 35; and their two-year-old daughter, Kashi. the crash occurred in the Gaurikund Trijuginarayan region of Rudraprayag district, around 5:30 a.m. the helicopter lost contact within minutes of takeoff, and the subsequent fire caused severe burns to the victims, complicating identification. the crash site is located in difficult terrain and was further challenged by poor weather, which is believed to be a contributing factor. This is the fifth aviation incident in the Char Dham region within just 40 days. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X that a helicopter has crashed and the State Disaster Response Force and other agencies are engaged in relief and rescue operations.
Dangers of the 2025 Char Dham Yatra: Health and Environmental Concerns The 2025 Char Dham Yatra had already witnessed several troubling incidents even before this crash. On May 8, a helicopter en route to Gangotri Dham crashed in Uttarkashi district, resulting in the deaths of six people On June 7, a helicopter heading to Kedarnath was forced to make an emergency landing on a road shortly after takeoff due to a technical fault. The pilot was injured, but all five devotees on board were rescued safely. Over 65 pilgrims died due to health related issues such as cardiac arrest and altitude sickness in the initial weeks alone, with Kedarnath reporting over 30 such fatalities. For instance, a 60 year old pilgrim from Mysuru succumbed to a cardiopulmonary arrest in May. In addition, a large outbreak of equine influenza led to the quarantine of more than 1,000 horses and mules used on the Kedarnath trek, with at least 15 animals dying. These health and environmental risks reflect the challenging conditions under which the pilgrimage operates, placing both human and animal lives in danger. Security and Preparedness: Tightened Measures Amid Rising Risks Following an April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Uttarakhand authorities tightened security along the Char Dham routes. The police increased surveillance using CCTV cameras and patrols across Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Despite these measures, the helicopter crash raised questions about the adequacy of infrastructure and emergency protocols in high risk zones. Prior to the accident, the DGCA had reportedly flagged safety concerns related to helipad infrastructure, but no preventive action was taken. In response to the crash, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called an emergency meeting and directed the formation of a safety review committee to enforce stricter aviation and pilgrim safety standards. Pilgrim Footfall and Response: A Sobering Yatra Season. Compared to 2024, this year’s Char Dham Yatra saw a decline in registrations. By mid April 2025, around 17.8 lakh pilgrims had registered significantly lower than the 29.5 lakh from the previous year. The lower turnout may partly be attributed to growing concerns over health risks, infrastructure strain, and weather unpredictability in the region. The helicopter crash, combined with earlier aviation incidents, has led the government to reevaluate its readiness and policies regarding pilgrimage logistics. The recent events highlight the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes safety over rapid expansion of religious tourism in ecologically sensitive and high altitude areas like Kedarnath.