Expressing profound grief over the loss of those killed in the Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper crash near Gaurikund, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs. ten lakh for the families of each of the deceased, and also declared free education to their children if they were studying in the hill state.
Bahuguna met the Base Commander and other allied officers of the Indian Air Force as well as other paramilitary forces to offer his condolences.
"On behalf of the state government and the people of Uttarakhand, I have come here to pay homage to those brave souls of the Air Force, the ITBP and the police, who laid down their lives to serve humanity in this natural disaster," said Bahuguna.
"We have decided to give rupees ten lakh to the families of all those officials who have lost their lives in this crash. Also, any children of those families, if they want education in Uttarakhand, it would be free of cost," he added
At least 20 people were killed as the IAF Mi-17 crashed north of Gaurikund while returning from a rescue mission from Guptkashi and Kedarnath.
The IAF had started inducting Mi-17 V5 choppers only last year after ordering 80 of them from Russia.
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This is the second incident of a helicopter crash this week in the hill state.
A private helicopter carrying relief materials for the rain-affected people in Rudraprayag district had crashed on Sunday near Gaurikund leaving the pilot injured.