At exactly 5:20 AM, an Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter took off from Kedarnath Dham, heading toward Guptkashi. Within minutes, it vanished into the thick forest between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan, crashing in the mist-covered terrain of Kedarghati.
Flames erupted upon impact. There were no survivors. The bodies were burned so badly that DNA tests are now being used for identification.
Among those lost were Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), his wife Shraddha Jaiswal (35), and their 23-month-old daughter, Kashi. They had traveled from Yavatmal in Maharashtra to complete a spiritual journey.
Their son, Vivaan, was not onboard. He remained behind in Guptkashi with his grandfather.
His survival feels like fate’s cruel contrast to a family destroyed in seconds.
Also killed in the crash were Vikram Rawat (46), an employee of the Badarinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee in Ukhimath, along with Vinod Devi (66) and Trishti Singh (19), both pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh. The pilot, Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan, a former lieutenant colonel in the Indian Army and a resident of Jaipur, was also among the dead.
This was not the first helicopter incident of the season.
In fact, it is the fifth helicopter-related event since the Kedarnath Yatra began on May 2, 2025. Thirteen lives have been lost across these accidents. On May 8, a helicopter crash in Uttarkashi during a flight to Gangotri Dham killed six.
On May 12 and May 17, emergency landings occurred in Ukhimath and near Kedarnath, respectively. Then, on June 7, a helicopter made a forced landing on a highway near Guptkashi. That time, the passengers were unharmed, though the pilot sustained injuries.
Dense fog and sudden shifts in Himalayan weather are being considered possible factors in today’s crash. But after so many incidents in such a short span of time, a deeper concern is emerging.
Are safety protocols strong enough?
Are the helicopters maintained well?
Are pilots given enough support to navigate such risky routes?
The Char Dham Yatra draws thousands of pilgrims to Kedarnath each year. Many choose helicopters to avoid the difficult 16-kilometre trek. But these mountain skies are unforgiving. A combination of old aircraft, tight flight schedules, and unpredictable weather has made the region increasingly dangerous.
Locals like Sonu Bisht, who still remembers the 2022 crash that killed seven people, blame negligence.
“They gamble with lives to save money and time,” he said.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has already reduced helicopter frequencies and promised tighter control, but the pressure remains. In 2022 alone, more than 1.35 lakh pilgrims chose helicopters to reach Kedarnath.
This latest tragedy leaves more than just ash and debris. It leaves behind shattered families, unanswered questions, and a growing call for accountability.
How did a 10-minute flight end in flames?
Was it human error, technical failure, or a cruel act of nature?
The AAIB will investigate. But for those who lost loved ones, no answer can fill the void.
This is not just a news report. This is a warning. A plea. A moment to stop and ask: are we doing enough to protect lives in these sacred mountains?
