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An Indian Air Force helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on board met with an accident on Wednesday near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, the IAF said.
Official sources said all the injured people on board the Mi-17V5 helicopter have been evacuated from the spot of the accident.
CDS Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the Mi-series chopper that crashed. Search and rescue operations have been launched from nearby bases, sources told news agency ANI.
There is no immediate information on the condition of Gen Rawat.
As many as 13 of the 14 occupants of the Indian Air Force helicopter, which had Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat among others onboard, died in the tragic crash on Wednesday, a top district official said.
There was one survivor, a male, Nilgiris Collector SP Amrith told PTI.
“Thirteen of the 14 (occupants) have died. There is one male survivor,” he said without divulging details.
The mishap happened at Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist and early visuals showed the helicopter in flames. There was no immediate information on possible casualty or injuries.
The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident.
Inputs from Agency
