Jyotirmath, 31 October (H.S.):Rescue operations continued at the site of Friday’s helicopter crash near Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on Saturday, following the death of all six people on board. The remote, high-altitude mountainous location of the crash has posed significant challenges for the relief and rescue teams. Efforts are underway to safely retrieve the mortal remains of all six victims.

According to the district administration, teams from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, Forest Department and district administration have reached the crash site after trekking along difficult mountain trails from the Pandukeshwar side. The teams are engaged in the operation to safely retrieve the bodies of all six victims.

To facilitate a safer and more efficient rescue operation, alternative trekking routes approaching the site from nearby high-altitude villages are also being explored. Given the challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions, particular attention is being paid to the safety of the personnel involved in the operation.

District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar said the district administration was maintaining constant coordination with all the agencies concerned. He said the rescue teams were working with utmost urgency and that the administration’s priority was to safely retrieve the mortal remains of all six victims and transport them to Joshimath.

He added that the operation was being continuously monitored and that the rescue teams were being provided with all necessary resources and assistance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar