According to reports, thirteen people have died in the helicopter crash and one male survivor is being treated for severe burns
Bipin Rawat. File Pic/PTI
An IAF chopper with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and staff on board crashed in the Coonoor region of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. A total of 14 people were on board the Indian Air Force helicopter and at least 13 people are reportedly dead in the helicopter crash. The news of the crash was confirmed by the Indian Air Force.
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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.
Reacting to this development, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and prayed for the safety of Gen Rawat, his wife and others, who were on board the chopper.
Hoping for the safety of CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife and others onboard the chopper.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) December 8, 2021
Prayers for speedy recovery.
Maharashtra cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray took to social media site Twitter and wrote, "Praying for the safety and well being of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and the rest of his colleagues, on board with him.. (sic)."
Praying for the safety and well being of CDS Bipin Rawat ji and the rest of his colleagues, on board with him.
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) December 8, 2021
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has said that he will be rushing to the spot to monitor rescue operations.
I am deeply shocked & disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 8, 2021
I've instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I'm rushing to the spot.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, too, prayed for the safety of Rawat and his family members.
Extremely tragic news coming in from Coonoor.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 8, 2021
Today, the entire nation prays for the safety of those who were onboard including CDS Bipin Rawat and his family members. Also praying for the speedy recovery of everyone who was injured.
The same sentiment was shared by the Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.
तमिलनाडू के कुन्नूर में CDS जनरल बिपिन रावत को ले जा रहे सेना के हेलिकॉप्टर के दुर्घटनाग्रस्त होने की खबर चिंताजनक है। मैं हेलिकॉप्टर में सवार लोगों के सकुशल होने की प्रार्थना करता हूं।
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) December 8, 2021
"I join millions in praying for the well-being of CDS General Bipin Rawat," wrote Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Twitter.
I join millions in praying for the well-being of CDS General Bipin Rawat.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 8, 2021
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to reach the military aircraft crash site in Tamil Nadu where the chopper carrying Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat met an accident. Singh is also monitoring the situation and a meeting of senior ministry of defence officials is underway. The Defence Minister has also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crash.
With inputs from agencies
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