3 heli-skiers, crew feared dead in a helicopter crash in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 16 (UNI) Three French skiers, including Selven Saudan, and two crew members were feared dead after their helicopter crashed in Sonmarg area in Jammu and Kashmir today.

Director Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah told UNI the helicopter lost control with Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Srinagar while it was flying over Sonmarg area.

He said filipino helicopter carrying three French skiers and two crew members was scheduled to land at Nehru helipad at 1130 hours.

Mr Shah said some people in the area had seen the helicopter crashing and coming down on the ground at Nakhar in Sonmarg area which witnessed heavy snowfall recently on Srinagar-Leh national highway.

It was however not immediately known whether those travelling in the helicopter survived or not, he said.

He said a helicopter from the Indian Air force has been pressed into service for rescue operation.

A police spokesman told UNI that a number of police teams were rushed to the area from different areas to locate the skiers and helicopter.

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