Helicopter Crash Kills Seven Including Toddler in Uttarakhand

A helicopter crash in Uttarakhand, India, killed seven people including the pilot and a two-year-old child while ferrying Hindu pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi along a revered pilgrimage route. The Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed shortly after takeoff, with the crash site located near Gaurikund, a key transit point for pilgrims. Rescue operations were carried out by the State Disaster Response Force, local police, and emergency teams, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau launched a full investigation. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the incident as "very sad news" and ordered a temporary suspension of all helicopter services on the pilgrimage route pending a high-level safety review, emphasizing the development of strict Standard Operating Procedures and centralized coordination for future operations. The crash occurred just days after a separate Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad killed over 270 people, highlighting recent aviation tragedies in India. Initial reports suggest bad weather may have contributed to the helicopter accident, and the Chief Minister pledged punitive action against any negligence identified.