2014 video from Russia shared as recent helicopter crash in Kedarnath

The video does not show the recent helicopter crash in Kedarnath. The video shows a helicopter crash that took place in Russia in 2014.

Seven people, including the pilot, were killed after a helicopter carrying Char Dham yatra pilgrims crashed near Kedarnath in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand on 18 October 2022. Social media platforms have been flooded with images and videos of the incident. Amidst this, a video showing a helicopter crash is widely circulating with the claim that it shows the helicopter crash that took place in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.

In the 17- second viral video, we can see the helicopter crashing onto the ground and bursting into flames.

The caption of the post states, ‘Six people D!ed in the helicopter #crash in Phata. #Kedarnath #helicoptercrash #BallonDor #TeJran #BreakingNews #Uttarakhand’

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Fact Check-

We started our investigation by running a reverse image search on one of the key frames of the viral video. The results led us to a 40 second version of the video posted on 5^th September 2014 on YouTube. The caption of the video states, “Disastrous Mi-8 Helicopter Crash in Gelendzhik, Russia (Sep-5-2014)”

The description states, ‘Mi-8 Crash in Gelendzhik, Russia (Sep-5-2014 ) During air show ” Gidroavisalon 2014.’

Since the video has been available on the internet since 2014, it cannot be the footage of the Kedarnath crash that took place recently.

According to a report by Military.com, on 5^th September 2014, a Mil Mi-8 Hip utility helicopter crashed during an air show in Russia. The chopper, belonging to the Russian “Panh Helicopters” air company (whose fleet of about 30 aircraft performs scientific and aerial services), was taking part in the opening phases of the Gidroavisalon 2014 in Gelendzhik, an international hydro air show that gathered 180 Russian companies and 14 foreign delegations.Two crewmembers were killed and one heavily injured as a consequence of the incident.

According to the Emergency Situations Ministry, two people were killed and another one was injured after a Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the resort town of Gelendzhik in southern Russia. The helicopter of PANH airline crashed near the landing strip of Gelendzhik airport, said Statter 911. You can read more reports here and here.

What happened  in Kedarnath?

As many as six people, including two pilots, have died in a helicopter crash near Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath. The incident took place in Garud Chatti, approximately 2 km from Kedarnath. The Aryan helicopter was carrying six people, including pilgrims. It took off from Guptkashi and was on its way to Kedarnath. It was set to cover 33km. According to primary reports, the chopper, owned by Delhi-based Aryan Aviation Private Limited, was travelling back from Kedarnath when it crashed near Garud Chatti just a few minutes after it took off.

A search and rescue operation is ongoing with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and district police at the spot. The operation, however, has been hindered due to rain in the area.

Conclusion-

Fact Crescendo found the claim made along with the viral video to be False. The viral video does not show the recent Kedarnath crash in Uttarakhand. The video originally shows a helicopter crash at an airshow in Gelendzhik, Russia in 2014.