Six dead in Uttarakhand helicopter crash near Badrinath
Five pilgrims and a pilot lost their lives when a helicopter went down in Uttarakhand on Friday. The aircraft had departed from Badrinath, a major Hindu shrine, before contact was lost. Local authorities located six bodies near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said “the helicopter came down near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district.” But the cause remains unclear. Still, heavy rain and poor visibility were reported in the area, and the weather office had issued an orange alert warning of thunderstorms, hail and strong winds.
Badrinath is part of the Char Dham circuit that draws millions of devotees each year. Helicopter rides have grown popular for avoiding tough mountain treks, yet safety is under scrutiny. In June 2025, seven people died in a crash near Kedarnath, and another seven perished on the same route in October 2022. Aviation authorities have since tightened checks and restricted some operations.
