At least five people were killed and two others critically injured after a helicopter crashed near Ganganani in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on Thursday, officials confirmed.

Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told news agency ANI that the crash involved a helicopter carrying six passengers and its pilot. The incident occurred near the Bhagirathi River in the border area of Uttarkashi district.

Uttarakhand | Five passengers dead, two seriously injured in a helicopter crash near Ganganani in Uttarkashi district, confirms Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey.

Administration and relief teams are present at the helicopter crash site.

(Photo source:… pic.twitter.com/JKoYpq7z1Q
— ANI (@ANI) May 8, 2025

Visuals from the crash site revealed the mangled wreckage of the chopper, indicating the severity of the impact. Rescue teams, including personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the district administration, were quickly dispatched to the scene.

“As soon as information about the accident was received, relief and rescue teams were rushed to the site to assist in operations and provide medical assistance,” Pandey said.

VIDEO | Uttarakhand: A private helicopter crashes in Gangnani, Uttarkashi. More details are awaited. #Uttarakhand #HelicopterCrash

(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/gD2G7CTmQj
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 8, 2025

The injured were immediately transported to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment. Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the crash, and an investigation has been ordered.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident and said all efforts are being made to aid the injured. “SDRF and district administration teams have immediately reached the spot for relief and rescue work. I have instructed the administration to provide all possible help to the injured and investigate the accident,” he stated.