A helicopter carrying a group of people to a tourist hotspot in India has crashed, leaving seven people dead.
Pilot Anil Singh and six passengers boarded the aircraft on Tuesday morning at the Kedarnath shrine near Garud Chatti in Rudraprayag before it crashed at 11.45am local time in Uttarakhand, India.
The chopper crashed just minutes after taking off while flying towards Guptkashi.
Rescue workers rushed to the scene, finding debris spread across the mountain range.
Footage shows smoke billowing across the hilly area, surrounded by dark clouds.
The wreckage of the helicopter appears to be engulfed in flames.
All of the people onboard the Aryan Aviation Private Limited helicopter were killed in the accident.
The cause of the crash is not yet known.
However, officials have suggested the bad weather may have been a factor.
The heads of state have since paid tribute to the victims of accident.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu said: "The news of the death of many pilgrims including the pilot in the helicopter crash near Kedarnath Dham is very sad.
"My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones."
The country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi added: "Anguished by the helicopter crash in Uttarakhand. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families."
Minister of State for Civil Aviation of India Jyotiraditya Scindia said: "The helicopter crash in Kedarnath is extremely unfortunate.
"We are in touch with the State government to ascertain the magnitude of the loss, and are constantly monitoring the situation."
