The deaths of Indian defense chief Gen. Bipin Rawat and his wife were confirmed in a tweet by the Indian Air Force.
Indian defense chief Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 military personnel were confirmed killed when a military helicopter carrying them crashed in southern India.
One of the officers, group captain Varun Singh, was rescued from the crash and is in the hospital being treated for his injuries. According to the Times of India, he is currently fighting for his life, and is hospitalized in critical condition with 80% of his body covered in burns.
The deaths were confirmed in a tweet by the Indian Air force.
With deep regret, it has now been ascertained that Gen Bipin Rawat, Mrs Madhulika Rawat and 11 other persons on board have died in the unfortunate accident.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) December 8, 2021
Four other members of the Indian Air Force who died in the crash have been identified as Wing Commander PS Chauhan, Squadron Leader K Singh, Junior Warrant Officer Rana Pratap Das and Junior Warrant Officer Pradeep A, according to the news agency Asian News International (ANI).
Rawat's remains, as well as the remains of all other victims of the crash, will reach Delhi by Thursday evening, according to ANI.
According to the Times of India, Rawat's remains will be brought to his home Friday, where people can come pay their respects from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. Afterward, a funeral procession will be held from Kamraj Marg to Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment, where the remains will be cremated.
The helicopter was just minutes away from reaching its destination, according to the Times of India. A 3-day mourning period was declared in the state of Uttarakhand.
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