An Indian Air Force helicopter carrying 14 people, including chief of defence staff Bipin Rawat, crashed near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, killing 13 of them, ANI reported, quoting sources. There was no immediate information on the condition of Gen Rawat.

“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,” the Indian Air Force confirmed in a statement. 

The chopper was flying from Sulur Airbase to Wellington when it crashed reportedly due to low visibility owing to foggy conditions.

Also read: Who is General Bipin Rawat?

14 people on-board 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. 

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

Visuals from the crash scene showed the badly damaged chopper in flames and what seemed to be some charred bodies lying around. Rescue services personnel were seen carrying bodies in stretchers to be transported through waiting ambulances. However, a major tragedy was averted as the chopper fell at some distance away from human habitation, averting possible mass casualties.

Eyewitnesses told local media they heard a loud noise and later saw the helicopter on fire, with some of the occupants having suffered serious burns.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin will visit Coonoor and will leave for Coimbatore by air later in the day.

“I am deeply shocked & disheartened on hearing the army chopper with CDS General Bipin Rawat and 13 others has met with an accident near Coonoor. I’ve instructed the local administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations even as I’m rushing to the spot,” he tweeted.