A military helicopter crashed in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, leaving at least three people dead and several others injured. The incident occurred on Sunday morning (January 5), as reported by Indian news outlet Hindustan Times.
According to the report, the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) operated by the Indian Coast Guard met with the accident during a training exercise. The helicopter suddenly lost control mid-flight and crashed to the ground.
Hindustan Times stated that a regular drill was underway at the Indian Coast Guard base in Porbandar. As part of the drill, the Dhruv series helicopter was being operated by three crew members. During the exercise, the helicopter crashed and caught fire. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.
Superintendent of Police Bhagirath Singh in Porbandar said that the three crew members were pulled out of the wreckage and taken to a hospital in critical condition. However, all three succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
Since 2002, the Indian military has been operating the Dhruv series Advanced Light Helicopters. It is a twin-engine utility helicopter manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s indigenous defense equipment manufacturer.
The Dhruv helicopters are used by the Indian Navy, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. Currently, more than 325 ALH Dhruv helicopters are in service. However, the helicopter has been involved in multiple accidents in recent times.
Four months ago, in September, an ALH Mk-II helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea near Porbandar, Gujarat. In that incident, three crew members aboard the helicopter went missing, and their bodies were recovered after an extensive search operation.