Joshimath in India's Uttarakhand state. Photo: Shutterstock A helicopter has crashed near Chayee village, close to Joshimath in India's Uttarakhand state, prompting a joint rescue operation involving local authorities and emergency response teams.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed the incident in a statement on social media, saying the district administration, disaster management department and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were coordinating rescue efforts at the scene.
Dhami said he was personally monitoring the situation and that instructions had been issued to immediately airlift anyone seriously injured to higher-level medical facilities for further treatment.
The chief minister also expressed his prayers for the safe return of all passengers on board the helicopter.
No further details about the number of people on board, the cause of the crash or the extent of injuries were provided in his initial statement.