Helicopter carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims crashes in Katra, 7 dead

Initial reports suggest that the chopper carrying five pilgrims crashed immediately after taking off to the shrine from the helipad in Katra.

Katra: In an unfortunate incident, a helicopter ferrying pilgrims from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine to Katra crashed on Monday. While according ANI report says, there were 5 people in the helicopter and all are dead. Eyewitnesses said the pilot was trying to avoid a built-up area and crashed while landing in an open space. The debris of the crashed chopper was spotted and the bodies were being retrieved.

The helicopter service was run by a private company.

The tragic incident is a sign of caution for Jammu and Kashmir tourism department.

Many of them, especially the elderly people, use the chopper service, since the cave can be accessed only after a 10-km trek.