Three people were killed after a helicopter, carrying relief material to flood affected areas, crashed in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi on Wednesday. The private helicopter, involved in relief efforts in flood-hit Uttarakhand, erupted in flames after it got entangled in the overhead electricity wires.
The State Disaster Response Force said the dead have been identified as Captain Lal, co-pilot Shailesh and a local person named Rajpal. A team of 10 members has been sent to the site of the crash. Reportedly, the chopper crashed near Moldi while returning after distributing relief material among the affected people. It belonged to a company called Heritage Aviation.
Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel who were involved in relief work spotted the chopper crashing and rushed to the spot.
DGCA to probe
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PTI reported that aviation regulator DGCA has deputed a team of officials to conduct a preliminary enquiry in the helicopter crash, according to a senior official.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is likely to probe the accident, the official added. The AAIB has the responsibility of investigating all major aircraft incidents and accidents in the country.
Uttarkashi was one of the most affected areas, with about 16 dead in the incessant rains in Uttarakhand. Makudi is the worst hit among the villages, where heavy rains led to the collapse of a number of houses early on Sunday. The six affected villages include Arakot, Makudi, Molda, Sanel, Tikochi and Dwichanu.
Heavy rains in Mori block inflicted damage on an area spread over 70 square kilometres. Seventeen houses were destroyed and 115 others partially damaged, he said, adding four bridges and power supply lines in a 14 km area were also broken.
Ten helipads have been made operational in the affected area while four civil and IAF helicopters put into service to speed up rescue and relief works.
