news details |
|
|
| IAF chopper crashes in Uttarakhand, nine feared dead | | | Agencies
Dehradun, June 25 : A rescue chopper of the Indian Air Force crashed in Gaurikund on Tuesday in Uttarakhand which has been ravaged by rains and massive floods. “One Mi-17 V5 chopper on a rescue mission from Gauchar to Guptkashi and Kedarnath while returning from Kedarnath crashed north of Gaurikund,” an IAF spokesperson said.
A Court of Inquiry has been order to investigate the crash, the spokesperson said. However, the IAF said that its operations in the area will continue.
There has been no communication with the MI-17 V5 chopper since afternoon. At least nine people are said to have killed in the crash, including five crew members and three civilian, who are feared to have died in the crash. The helicopter took off from Gauchar. As of now the reason of the chopper missing, which was operating in difficult circumstances, is not known, though fog may be one of the reasons.
IAF had started inducting Mi-17 V5 choppers only last year after 80 of them were ordered from Russia. This is the second incident of a helicopter crash this week in the hill state.
A private helicopter carrying relief materials for the rain-affected people in Rudraprayag district had crashed on Sunday near Gaurikund leaving the pilot injured.
Uttarakhand has been hit by fresh rains and landslides for the past two days. Incidents of landslides were reported from Tehri district. Foggy and overcast conditions in Dehradun delayed take off by choppers at Sahasradhara helipad and Jolly Grant Airport today but air rescue operations to evacuate around 9000 people still stranded resumed after the weather improved.
Meanwhile, the Met department has warned of more rains over the next 24 hours in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Dehradun. "We're expecting rains across the state. Heavy rains are possible in Uttarkashi and Chamoli and rescue operations will be affected. Rains across the state are expected on Wednesday too,” a Met department official was quoted as saying. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
