In what has become a major development from the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu with Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat on board, it has been confirmed that 13 of the 14 personnel on board have died in the crash that happened in the afternoon hours of Wednesday in the Nilgiris district. The air force chopper - Mi-17V5 helicopter was carrying 14 people on board - nine officers and five crew members. The people on board include Bipin Rawat, his wife, and top army officials. 

It has left from Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore at around 11.45 am on Wednesday and it was scheduled to reach Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Coonoor at around 12.30 pm. However, ten minutes ahead of landing, the chopper had crashed in the Katteri area near the army training camp and hit the ground with 14 people on board. The Indian Air Force has confirmed that Rawat was on board and he was on his way to deliver a lecture at the Defence Staff College in Wellington. However, his condition has been unknown. 

As the rescue operations are underway, more dreadful developments have been getting unfolded from the crash. Following the crash, the fire kept burning for over an hour which had made the rescue team difficult to evacuate the people on board. Initially, it was reported that four people had died and others have sustained severe injuries and moved to the hospital. As more developments came, the death toll had increased to ten and hours after the crash, it has now been confirmed that 13 of the 14 personnel on board had died. 

ANI has quoted the sources saying, "13 of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead." As their bodies have been charred, the authorities have decided to do DNA testing to confirm the identities of the bodies as they had sustained heavy burns. All the people on the board were taken to the hospital and the Indian Air Force has said that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. 

The reports say poor visibility due to heavy fog is the reason behind the crash. At least six ambulances with a 12-member team were rushed to the accident location and a team of ten doctors from the Coimbatore ESI Hospital has also rushed to the spot. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has directed the district administration to provide all the help needed in rescue operations and ANI had reported that local military officers have reached the location and were told that the local residents had taken two bodies with 80 per cent burns to a local hospital. The agency has further said that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) will be meeting today at 6.30 pm. It will be chaired by Prime Minister Modi and will discuss the chopper crash. 

13 of the 14 personnel involved in the military chopper crash in Tamil Nadu have been confirmed dead. Identities of the bodies to be confirmed through DNA testing: Sources

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021

Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to meet at 6:30 PM today.

— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2021