Helicopter with Indian defence chief on board crashes, 4 dead
Four people have been confirmed dead in the incident. There is no immediate information on the condition of General Rawat.
Three people have been rescued, so far, while a search is on for the others. There were fourteen people on board, according to sources, reports India Today.
The three who have been rescued suffered serious injuries and have been taken to the hospital at Wellington cantonment in Nilgiris district.
Visuals from the site of the Indian Air Force helicopter crash showed massive flames and locals helping with the immediate rescue operations. Bodies were seen downhill, ANI news agency reported. Several teams, including local military officers, reached the site for search and rescue operations.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident on Twitter and said 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,” the IAF tweeted.
