Helicopter crash kills seven near Katra

Seven people, including a pilot, were killed November 23 when a helicopter ferrying pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi temple crashed near Katra town in Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, India Today reported. He said arrangements are being made to send the bodies to Jammu and Delhi. The helicopter was piloted by Sumeeta Vijayan, a resident of Hyderabad.

The Chopper reportedly belonged to Himalayan Heli Service, which also operates helicopter services in the Char Dham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand. Police said she was experienced in transporting pilgrims to local Hindu shrines via helicopter. The Chopper which was returning from Sanjichat to Katra crashed and caught fire.

The incident took place when the chopper was going to Sanjhichat from Katra. “Matter under investigation”, senior police officer Surinder Gupta said, according to CNN.

Eyewitnesses said the chopper caught fire following the crash and smoke was billowing from the mangled aircraft.

The helicopter service was run by a private company. Many pilgrims go for the helicopter service to succeed in the cave shrine whereas others trek on foot. The Directors of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir have also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved tourist families…

“All seven people aboard, including the pilot have died”, he added.

Following the tragic chopper crash, The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh rushed to the site of the incident to personally take stock of the situation there.