CDS General Bipin Rawat, Wife among 13 Dead as IAF Mi-17V5 helicopter crashes in Tamil Nadu

Army Helicopter Crash in Tamil Nadu: The Indian Air Force in an official tweet confirmed that General Bipin Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat are among the 13 people who have died in the unfortunate crash of the Indian Airforce Helicopter Mi-17V5  between Coimbatore and Sulur in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu on December 8,2021.  

The lone survivor of the tragic crash is Group Captain Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC who is currently undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital in Wellington. CDS Bipin Rawat was on a visit to Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (Nilgiri Hills) to address the faculty and student officers of the Staff Course today when their military helicopter crashed onto the Niligiris and burst into flames.

The mortal remains of CDS General Bipin Rawat and his wife along with other 11 Armed Forces personnel who died in the helicopter crash are expected to arrive in Delhi by tomorrow evening. 

The IAF tweet read, "With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident. Gp Capt Varun Singh SC, Directing Staff at DSSC with injuries is currently under treatment at Military Hospital, Wellington."

With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.

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

There were a total of 14 people aboard the ill-fated Mi-17V5 chopper, out of whom 13 have been confirmed dead. The 14 people aboard the military chopper included CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat, Brig LS Lidder, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, NK Gursewak Singh, NK Jitendra Kr, L/Naik Vivek Kumar, L/Naik B Sai Teja and Hav Satpal. 

Read more about CDS Bipin Rawat here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an emergency Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting at 6:30 pm today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make an official statement regarding the tragic incident in the Parliament tomorrow. He had visited CDS Bipin Rawat's residence in Delhi earlier today.

Air Force Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhary rushed towards the crash site in Sulur, Tamil Nadu as soon as the tragic news came out. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is also on his way to Coimbatore from Chennai Airport and then will move to Nilgiris by road.

President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, who is the commander-in-chief of Indian Armed Forces, has also cancelled all his scheduled events in Mumbai and is heading back to the national capital. The President tweeted, "I am shocked and anguished over the untimely demise of Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife, Madhulika ji. The nation has lost one of its bravest sons. His four decades of selfless service to the motherland was marked by exceptional gallantry and heroism. My condolences to his family."

It’s deeply painful for me to learn of the loss of lives in the chopper crash. I join the fellow citizens in paying tributes to each of those who died while performing their duty. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 8, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted, "Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti."

Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/YOuQvFT7Et

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021

As India’s first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2021

Crash Due to Heavy Mist

While the IAF has ordered inquiry into the matter of Army Helicopter Crash in Tamil Nadu, several online media reports have emerged saying that the crash might-have occurred due to heavy mist in the area. The mishap of Helicopter crash carrying CDS and other Officers happened at Nanjappanchathiram area between Coimbatore and Sulur, Tamil Nadu. Following the crash, early visuals showed the helicopter in flames amid dense forest cover.

#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

Army Helicopter Crash - List of Passengers

A total of 14 people including CDS Bipin Rawat, his wife, Defence Assistant, security commandos and Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were on board the ill-fated Mi-17V5 Helicopter which crashed today in Tamil Nadu.

IAF orders Inquiry

Following the tragic crash of -17V5 carrying CDS Bipin Rawat, the IAF has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter to identify the cause of the crash. Following the crash, the Indian Air Force in a tweet sent out from its official Twitter handle said that 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.”

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