Those killed in the crash have been identified as Mrs Anita, A Baruah, Dr. Tendon, Dr Asif Chunawala, Mrs R Asif, Mrs Jahara, Ms C Z Asif, Master Z Asif, Mr A Sharma, A K Saraugi, Ms N Bothra, Col Sharma, Mr W Bhatia, Mr T Mustafa including three crew members Captain A K Tiwari, Flight Attendant A Dixit and Assistant Maintenance Engineer S V Kulkarni. Five among the deceased are reported to be from the same family. Those who sustained injuries have been identified as Captain Varun Gupta, Flight Engineer Pradip Kumar Chaturvedi, Dorjee Wangdi, Rishi Bothra, Rajendra Pal and Mrs Karishma Saraugi. Most of the victims were tourists.

A large number of people rushed to the spot and pulled out six passengers from the blazing chopper. However, very soon the whole chopper caught fire making it impossible for rescue efforts to go on. According to Reservation operational in-charge, Guwahati S. B Dev there were 18 passengers including two minors and five crew members. The main cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained but technical snag can not be ruled out, said an official source.

Eye witnesses say that the chopper caught fire while it was descending, crash landing meters away from the heliport making it the third major air crash in Tawang district. Last year, twelve personnel were killed when an MI-17 helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed at Bomdir in Tawang district on the 19th of November. Union Minister of State for Defence NVN Somu along with four others died in 1997 in the same sector on the 14th of November 1997.

A committee of inquiry was set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the recent crash of the Pawan Hans helicopter in Arunachal Pradesh even as the chopper company declared interim compensation for relatives of the 17 people killed and those injured. The three-member committee, comprising former air force officers, would investigate all aspects of the accident and submit its report within three months.

State mourns the death

Condolences poured in as the state received the news of the devastating chopper crash in Tawang which claimed the lives of 17 people.

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen JJ Singh has expressed shock and mourned the loss of precious lives in the helicopter crash. “In this hour of crisis, I, join all citizens and pray to the Almighty to give them enough strength and courage to bear the irreparable loss and to grant eternal peace of the departed souls,” the Governor said.

“We also pray for the quick recovery of those who were injured in this unfortunate accident,” General Singh added.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu who was at Tawang to attend a meeting along with Union Rural Development Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh, expressed shock at the accident and condoled the deaths.

“I am shocked and pained to hear about the unfortunate incident and have no words to share my grief on the sad occasion,” Khandu said in his condolence message. “I along with my family members, my cabinet colleagues and people of Arunachal Pradesh pay our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss. I am aware how futile my word of condolence would mean to you but we must take solace that souls are immortal,” the message read.

Prayer for the souls of helicopter crash victims

A week-long special prayer was organized at Ugyen Tsagnpo helipad in Tawang under the patronage of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu for the souls of the victims of recent helicopter crash. The prayer was performed by 50 monks headed by Guru Tulka Rinpoche Abbot of Tawang monastery with the participation of locals of Tawang from the 21st of April, official sources said.

Four types of prayers – ‘Sheva Jensey’ for peace, ‘Wang Jansey’ for enlightenment, ‘Geva Jensey’ for longevity and sound health and ‘Dakpo’ to avert evil spirits from destruction - were performed during the seven days. The first day started with the performing of ‘Tenthin Puja’ to purify the environment.

Crash history of the state:

Nov 19th, 2011: AIF’s MI-17, a multi-utility helicopter, burst into flames midair 5 minutes after take-off from Tawang helipad, killing 12 defense personnel, including 3 pilots.

Aug 6th, 2010: Pawan Hans helicopter (24-seater MI-172) cabin crew Dhananjoy Roy fell to his death while trying to shut the unfastened chopper door that had flung open midair while it was on its way from Namsai to Tezu.

June 9th, 2009: Russian-made AN-32 aircraft while returning from Mechuka after an Army ration sortie crashed over Tato, killing all 13 defense personnel on board.

May 8th, 2001: A Pawan Hans chopper piloted by DGM Capt VK Dhir and carrying state Education Minister Dera Natung, Education Secretary Sange Lhaden, Union HRD Ministry’s Dy Secretary SK Jain and two others crashed into a high hill near Sessa in West Kameng district due to poor visibility killing all on board.

Feb 26th, 2001: IAF’s MI-8 chopper while returning from Tali after a ration sortie crashed near Ziro, killing all 6 crew members including two pilots.

Nov 14th, 1997: Union MoS for defence NVN Somu and three top officials, including Major General Ramesh Nagpal died when their four-seater Cheetah hit a 1300 ft peak 40 kilometers from Tawang.

In 1989: An Antonov AN-32 on a ration sortie from Rowriah had reportedly crashed into the China side without any trace of the crew members at the scene of the wreckage. The defense ministry had ordered a court of inquiry.

E.P. Desk