Defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed both houses of Parliament on Thursday, 9 December, regarding the crash of an IAF chopper in which CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others lost their lives. Singh addressed the Lok Sabha at 11 am, followed by a statement in Rajya Sabha.
Singh informed that the chopper took off at 11:48 am and was supposed to land in Wellington at 12:15 pm. However, Sulur air traffic control lost contact with the chopper around 12:08 pm.
On seeing the fire at the site of the crash, locals went towards the site. After reaching there, they saw the chopper engulfed in fire, Singh added.
Rescue efforts began as soon as the administration was informed. However, 13 of the 14 people on-board didn’t survive, Singh informed on Thursday. He added that all the bodies will be taken to Delhi by evening.
The defence minister further said that a tri-service enquiry regarding the incident has been ordered by the IAF, headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command.
There was only one survivor of the crash, Group Captain Varun Singh, who is currently on life support in Wellington hospital. The defence minister said in a tweet on Thursday that all efforts are being made to save his life.
Bipin Rawat, his wife, his staff and other officials were on-board the Mi-series chopper, which crashed in Coonoor.
As per visuals shared by ANI, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had visited the residence of Bipin Rawat on Wednesday afternoon, hours after the crash.
Singh is reported to have already briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, following which a meeting of senior defence ministry officials took place.
BACKGROUND
An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, his wife, his staff as well as other senior officials on-board, crashed in Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on Wednesday, 8 December.
The chopper crashed after having taken off from Sulur in the Nilgiris, while it was heading to Wellington base.
13 out of the 14 people on board the chopper passed away.
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