An Army helicopter carrying carrying several senior defence officials, including chief of defence staff Bipin Rawat and his wife, crashed at Coonoor in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district on Wednesday, killing four on the spot.

The IAF helicopter reportedly crashed at the Nanjappanchathiram area amid heavy mist while it was on its way from the Sulur IAF base to the Defence Services College (DSC) at Wellington. A total of 14 people including Bipin Rawat, his wife, Defence Assistant, security commandos and IAF pilots were on board the helicopter. All those who have been injured have been taken to the hospital at Wellington cantonment in Nilgiris district.

Reports claim that three officials have been rescued so far while a search is on for the fourth person. The Indian Air Force (IAF) mentioned in a statement that an inquiry has been ordered 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.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021