Tamil Nadu Helicopter Crash: The helicopter crashed this afternoon.
An Army helicopter carrying Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat and 13 others on board crashed in Tamil Nadu this afternoon.
“An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, accompanied by CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu,” the Air Force said in a tweet.
“An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” he said. General Rawat’s wife was also among those aboard the chopper.
Videos of search and rescue operations were shared by news agency ANI.
Some burnt bodies have been recovered from the spot.
#Watch , Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS General Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were on board the helicopter.
(Video source: Local people involved in the search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/YkBVlzsk1J
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
#Watch , Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were on board the helicopter. pic.twitter.com/6oxG7xD8iW
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
Local people are engaged in rescue work.
It is expected that Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will soon brief the Parliament on the helicopter crash. Sources said Mr Singh has already briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Several top leaders tweeted about the incident, praying for the safety of General Rawat and others.
Shocked by the news of the crash of the helicopter carrying CDS Bipin Rawat ji, his family members and other personnel!
My prayers are with all of them.— Vasundhara Raje (@vasundharaBJP) December 8, 2021
Shocked to hear about the crash of an army helicopter carrying CDS General Shri Bipin Rawat ji and other senior army officers. Praying for their safety and well being.
– Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 8, 2021
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted, “Shocked to hear about the tragic accident of helicopter with CODS Shri Bipin Rawat ji. I pray for everyone’s safety, well being.”
Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, “Distressed to hear about the crash of the Army helicopter carrying CDS General Shri Bipin Rawat ji and other senior Army officers. Praying for their safety and well being.”
,