Six dead after helicopter crashes in northern Indian state

Five pilgrims and a pilot have died after their helicopter crashed in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, officials say.

The aircraft reportedly took off from the Hindu pilgrimage site of Badrinath on Friday afternoon before losing contact.

The cause of the crash is not yet known but there had been reports of heavy rain and poor visibility in the region.

Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state which borders China and Nepal, is home to some of Hinduism's holiest shrines and attracts millions of pilgrims every year.

Badrinath is one of four sacred sites on the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, alongside Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Many devotees travel through steep Himalayan valleys to reach the temples, which are open for only part of the year because of harsh winter conditions.

Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the helicopter came down near a village close to Joshimath in Chamoli district.

The local civil aviation authority later confirmed to Indian media that six bodies had been located.

Helicopter services have become increasingly popular among pilgrims seeking to avoid difficult mountain journeys, but their safety has come under scrutiny following a series of accidents.

Before Friday's crash, India's weather department had issued an orange alert for the area, warning of thunderstorms, hail and strong winds.

In June 2025, seven people were killed when a helicopter carrying pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath. Another seven died in a crash on the same pilgrimage route in October 2022.

Several other helicopter accidents were reported during the 2025 pilgrimage season, prompting aviation authorities to tighten safety checks and restrict some operations.