India's Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat Killed in Helicopter Crash - Photo, Video
08:04 GMT 08.12.2021 (Updated: 10:40 GMT 19.07.2022)
© Photo : ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY/twitter
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A military helicopter crashed in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, killing 13 people on board. One Air Force officer survived and is being treated in a military hospital.
Indian Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat was killed after a Mi-17V5 military helicopter that was carrying senior defence officers crashed at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday.
"Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel in an extremely unfortunate helicopter accident today in Tamil Nadu. His untimely death is an irreparable loss to our Armed Forces and the country," Singh tweeted.
With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
A total of 14 people, including Rawat, his spouse, security commandos and IAF pilots, were on board the chopper. Thirteen people have died, only one Air Force officer, Group Capt. Varun Singh, survived in the tragic accident. He is being treated in a military hospital.
An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
#ConoorCrash: List of people travelling on board the crashed IAF Helicopter includes CDS Rawat and his Wife. pic.twitter.com/VyiXCtbnqI
— Abhishek Jha (@abhishekjha157) December 8, 2021
The official reason behind the accident has to be revealed yet, but a source in the Russia aviation industry said that the chopper crashed due to poor weather conditions.
"The reason for the crash of the Mi-17V-5 helicopter in India was weather conditions. Due to heavy fog, visibility has reached a critically low level," the source said.
Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
(Pics Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/miALr88sm1
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier called an emergency Cabinet meeting.
The Chief of Defence Staff was en route to Wellington in Coonoor from the Indian Air Force base in Sulur, according to reports.
