A helicopter crash in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district claimed the lives of all seven people on board early Sunday morning. The helicopter, ferrying Hindu pilgrims from the holy shrine of Shri Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi, crashed shortly after takeoff, according to officials from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA).

The chopper took off around 5:20 AM IST and was on a brief 10-minute journey when it went down, reportedly due to poor weather conditions. A massive fire followed the crash, severely burning the bodies and complicating identification efforts. Among the deceased was a two-year-old girl, making the incident all the more heartbreaking.

State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the incident in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing grief over the loss and stating that a full investigation had been ordered. He added that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with local authorities and emergency teams, was swiftly deployed to the crash site to carry out relief and recovery operations.

Local villagers collecting fodder nearby were the first to spot the wreckage and promptly alerted the nearby officials. Preliminary assessments suggest that poor visibility and inclement weather may have led to the crash, though the final cause will be determined following a thorough investigation by aviation experts.

Five pilgrims, the pilot and an employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee were among those killed.

All passengers on board were Indian nationals from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The incident has cast a pall over the ongoing pilgrimage season, with government urging caution and strict adherence to weather advisories for all aerial operations in the hilly terrain of Uttarakhand.

Sepoy Sunilal Muchahary of The Madras Regiment laid down his life in the line of duty during the recent catastrophic landslide at Chatten in North Sikkim. The 34-year-old soldier from Pub Makra village in Chirang district of Assam was serving in a high-altitude forward area when disaster struck.

Enrolled in the Indian Army in June 2012, Sepoy Sunilal served the nation with honour for nearly 13 years, operating in some of the most difficult and strategically vital regions of the country. Known for his discipline and dedication, he was a respected team player, an expert marksman, and a sportsman who brought recognition to his unit.

His mortal remains were recovered after nine days of tireless search efforts carried out by the Indian Army under extreme terrain and weather conditions. Equipped with advanced radar technology and engineering support, search teams worked around the clock to locate him and bring him home with dignity.

Following full military honours, Sepoy Sunilal’s body was transported to his native village, where his last rites were conducted with deep respect in the presence of military and civil dignitaries. His selfless devotion in an unforgiving environment stands as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of India’s armed forces.

The Indian Army has paid tribute to Sepoy Sunilal as a true embodiment of the motto “Service Before Self”—a silent yet steadfast warrior whose memory will live on in the hearts of his comrades and countrymen.

An accident occurred when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, crashed into the residential area of Meghani Nagar shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight was en route to London Gatwick.

The aircraft was carrying 242 individuals—230 passengers and 12 crew members. The final signal from the plane was recorded less than a minute after takeoff, and shortly after, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed.

Eyewitness videos show large plumes of black smoke rising above the densely populated neighborhood, with emergency crews rushing to rescue victims. Several injured individuals were seen being carried away on stretchers as firefighters battled the flames.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, stated he is personally monitoring the situation and has ordered all aviation and emergency response units to take swift and coordinated action. Medical teams and disaster response units have been mobilized and are actively working at the site.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “heartbreaking beyond words.” Air India officials have confirmed that a dedicated emergency center has been set up to assist the families of passengers.

Among the passengers were nationals from multiple countries, including the UK, Portugal, and Canada, with the majority being Indian citizens.

The crash is particularly significant as it marks the first-ever hull-loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. A full-scale investigation is now underway by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

Officials have yet to confirm the number of fatalities or survivors.