Six Killed in Helicopter Crash Near Joshimath, Uttarakhand

A helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district claimed the lives of all six people on board on Friday, October 31, 2026. Operated by Trans Bharat Aviation, the helicopter was carrying pilot Captain Himanshu Sabharwal and five passengers, including a Bengaluru Police inspector and several businesspeople and professionals from Karnataka.

Rescue teams worked in difficult terrain to recover the victims’ remains. They were subsequently transported to AIIMS Rishikesh for post-mortem procedures.

India’s Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that a team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had been dispatched to Dehradun to conduct a preliminary regulatory assessment. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a full investigation into the incident.

The crash has renewed concerns about helicopter safety in mountainous Uttarakhand, where charter services are widely used by pilgrims and tourists navigating challenging Himalayan terrain. Authorities have pledged a comprehensive safety review of all operators in the region before services resume.

Source: Punjab Kesari – Bodies of 6 Killed in Uttarakhand Helicopter Crash Recovered