#WATCH | 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. pic.twitter.com/6oxG7xD8iW
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
New Delhi , Dec 8 : An Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Chief Defence of Staff Bipin Rawat, his wife, and military personnel crashed in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the residence of CDS Rawat a short while ago. He has already briefed PM Narendra Modi on the matter.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Chief Defence of Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and military personnel crashed near Coonoor in the nearby hilly Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
In an unfortunate incident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Mi-17V5 helicopter carrying Chief Defence of Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife, and military personnel crashed near Coonoor in the nearby hilly Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.
The accident that happened at the Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist claimed at least 13 lives. News agency ANI reported that 13 of the 14 people on-board the ill-fated chopper have been confirmed dead. The identifies of the bodies will be confirmed through DNA testing.
Rajnath Singh may brief Parliament on the chopper crash in Coonoor on Thursday. The chopper crashed 33 minutes after takeoff and was 10 minutes away from the landing site.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has rushed to the crash site. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin is also likely to reach the spot shortly.
“A meeting of senior Defence Ministry officials is underway. Singh has briefed the PM about the crash,” sources told news agency ANI. Rajnath Singh may brief Parliament on the chopper crash in Coonoor on Thursday. The chopper crashed 33 minutes after takeoff and was 10 minutes away from the landing site.
Army Chief General MM Naravane briefs Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the incident of the crash of a military chopper in Tamil Nadu, that was also carrying CDS Gen Bipin Rawat. Army Chief General MM Naravane also visited CDS Rawat’s residence a short while ago.
While Chief of Air Staff VR Chaudhari is rushing to the crash site, his wife has visited the residence of CDS General Bipin Rawat a short while ago.
Army Chief General MM Naravane reportedly briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Singh has already briefed PM Narendra Modi and is slated to make a statement in the Parliament on Thursday.
Government is likely to issue a statement tomorrow in Parliament on the crash of the military chopper with Chief of Defence Staff on board, news agencies reported citing sources.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin is slated to reach the spot where the unfortunate incident took place. “Deeply shocked & disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor,” Stalin said in a tweet.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaches the residence of CDS General Bipin Rawat. He is slated to make a statement in Parliament on Thursday.
The IAF helicopter crashed when it was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College (DSC) at Wellington.
Visuals of news agency ANI showed the IAF chopper Mi-17V5 in flames under the impact of the crash. The Indian Army personnel and other rescue personnel were involved in clearing the area.
IAF confirmed that an IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, crashed in Tamil Nadu. The Air Force has ordered an enquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.
“An IAF Mi-17V5 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,” IAF tweeted.
( With Inputs from ANI & Agencies)
