Breaking News: Reports came out this noon about a chopper crash that was carrying Chief of Defense Staff Bipin Rawat and 13 others on board. The chopped was crashed in Tamil Nadu this afternoon.
Air Force official Twitter handle said, “An IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter, with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat on board, met with an accident today near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu.”
#WATCH | Latest visuals from the spot (between Coimbatore and Sulur) where a military chopper crashed in Tamil Nadu. CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his staff and some family members were in the chopper.
(Video Source: Locals involved in search and rescue operation) pic.twitter.com/YkBVlzsk1J
— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021
“An Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident,” it added. General Rawat’s wife was one of those on the chopper.
Videos of search and were shared by ANI.
#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
Some charred bodies have already been recovered from the site.
The locals are involved in the rescue operations cooperating with the officials.
Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh is expected to brief the Parliament about the chopper crash soon today. Mr Singh has already briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi according to the sources.