All the three people who were on-board the helicopter that crashed in Uttarakhand's Uttarkhashi have died, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) PRO confirmed on Wednesday, 21 August minutes after the accident.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, in his tweet, announced a compensation of Rs 15 lakh for the next of kin of the three people.
“A private helicopter with three persons on board crashed near Moldi in the rain-hit Uttarkashi district after getting entangled in cables.”Ashok Kumar, Uttarakhand’s DG (law and order)
The helicopter, belonging to Heritage Aviation, was among the ones engaged in relief and rescue operations in the affected villages spread over 70 square km area of the district.
Those who were on-board have been identified as Captain Lal, co-pilot Shailesh and local named Rajpal, reported ANI. A team of 10 SDRF members have been sent to the site of the crash.
DGCA to Probe the Crash
Aviation regulator DGCA has deputed a team of officials to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the helicopter crash, according to a senior official.
“The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is likely to probe the accident,” the official added.
The helicopter crashed near Moldi while returning after distributing relief material among the affected people, Uttarkashi Disaster Management officer Devendra Patwal had told PTI over phone.
Torrential rains in Moldi area of the district on Sunday had left 16 persons dead and around half a dozen missing.
(This is a developing story. More details awaited.)
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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