New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: 13 of the total 14 people on board the Indian Air Force’s Mi-17VH chopper were killed after the chopper crashed in the hilly Nilgiris district between Coimbatore and Sulur in Tamil Nadu today. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Bipin Rawat, his wife and 12 other Army personnel were on board the Mi-Series helicopter. The chopper crashed in a forest area, reportedly due to poor visibility following heavy fog.
However, there was no immediate information on the condition of Gen Rawat. As per news agency ANI, quoting sources, the identities of the bodies killed in the crash will be confirmed through DNA testing. Meanwhile, the IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the accident, involving a Mi-17VH chopper that took from the Sulur IAF Station in nearby Coimbatore.
The chopper was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College (DSC) at Wellington when it crashed. The mishap happened at the Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist and early visuals showed the helicopter in flames.
As per a statement by the India Air Force, “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident”.
An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Bipin Rawat, Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gurusewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kumar, L/NK Vivek Kumar, L/NK B sai Teja, Hav Satpal were flying from Delhi to Sulur on the chopper. The passenger list from Sulur to Wellington is not out yet.
As per ANI sources, local military officials, who reached the spot, were informed by the locals that two bodies with 80 per cent burns have been taken to the nearby hospital. Few bodies can also be seen downhill in the area of the accident, the sources added. Search and rescue operations have been launched from nearby bases.
A report by news agency PTI, quoting official sources in the Indian Army, stated that all the injured people on board the helicopter have been evacuated from the spot of the accident. Meanwhile, four bodies have been retrieved and three persons rescued from under the debris of the helicopter which crashed in the Katteri-Nanchappanchathram area.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath has briefed the Prime Minister about the tragic incident. Rajnath Singh has also reached the home of CDS General Bipin Rawat in Delhi.
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ramachandran is also reaching the crash site in the hilly Nilgiris district. Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai, meanwhile, has said that General Bipin Rawat has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
“Saddened to hear that the IAF chopper carrying CDS General Bipin Rawat crashed. I am trying to gather more information on the incident. As per preliminary information, he has been taken to hospital for treatment”, Bommai said.
