Seven individuals, including a young child, lost their lives in a devastating helicopter crash in the Himalayas of India. The incident occurred as the helicopter was transporting Hindu pilgrims from a shrine, resulting in a tragic outcome.

The fatal accident took place amidst the mourning of a separate tragedy where 279 individuals perished in a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The helicopter crash claimed the lives of the pilot and six passengers as it went down during its journey from Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand state.

Disaster response official Nandan Singh Rajwar confirmed the unfortunate incident, with the state's chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, expressing his condolences and dispatching rescue teams to the crash site.

Authorities believe that the crash was a result of adverse weather conditions, as stated by district tourism official Rahul Chaubey. The Kedarnath temple attracts numerous pilgrims during the summer months due to its accessibility at an altitude of 3,584m.

While helicopter charter services have emerged to cater to affluent pilgrims seeking a quicker and easier way to reach the Himalayan shrines, the recent crash is a grim reminder of the risks involved. Last month, another helicopter crash en route to the shrine claimed the lives of six individuals, highlighting the dangers associated with such journeys.