A military chopper carrying Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and 13 more crashed shortly after take-off today in Tamil Nadu. Thirteen people have died and one male survivor is being treated for severe burns. There is no official word on General Bipin Rawat’s condition.
General Rawat’s wife, his Defence Assistant, security commandos and Air Force personnel were on board.
“An IAF Mi-17 V5 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,” tweeted the Air Force.
According to a PTI report, the chopper crashed in a forest area, reportedly due to poor visibility following heavy fog. The helicopter, carrying a few senior officials, was on its way from Sulur in Coimbatore to Defence Staff College in Wellington where Gen Rawat, along with Chief of Army Staff MM Naravane, was slated to participate in an event. The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident, involving a Mi-17VH choppper that took from the Sulur IAF Station in nearby Coimbatore.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the accident an unprecedented tragedy. “I extend my condolences to the family of Gen Bipin Rawat and his wife. This is an unprecedented tragedy and our thoughts are with their family in this difficult time. Heartfelt condolences also to all others who lost their lives,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.” tweeted PM Modi.
