Bipin Rawat helicopter crash: Visuals from the crash site | Watch

An Indian Air Force helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat on Wednesday crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, said the IAF.

According to the Indian Air Force statement, CDS Gen Bipin Rawat was on his way to the Defence Staff College in Wellington.

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The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the accident.

Also read: Tamil Nadu helicopter crash: Who all were on board?

“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,” tweeted IAF.

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According to reports, along with CDS 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 were on board the chopper. 

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There is no immediate information on their condition.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu state forest minister K Ramachandran said that five of the 14 people on board have been confirmed killed, while two others are critically injured.

Also read: Chopper with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on board crashes in Tamil Nadu

Bodies recovered from the site of the crash have been taken to Military Hospital in Wellington. 

Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has rushed for Sulur Airbase after the accident.