Seven persons died on Tuesday after a helicopter carrying Kedarnath pilgrims crashed near Uttarakhand’s Garud Chatti, ANI reported. The helicopter crashed after colliding with a hill amid low visibility in Rudraprayag district, said the State Disaster Relief Force.

The seven persons have been identified as Purva Ramanuj, Kriti Barad, Urvi Barad, Sujata, Prem Kumar, Kala, and pilot Anil Singh. Meanwhile, the relief and rescue operation at the crash site has been hindered due to rainfall in the region, reported The Indian Express.

Chief Executive Officer of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority, C Shankar said at a press briefing that the weather conditions were bad in the area, reported the Hindustan Times.

“The investigation will reveal what exactly happened there,” Shankar said. “Pilots also have to see safety aspects while flying when weather conditions or visibility conditions are bad.” He also added that the authorities have suspended chopper operations in Kedarnath till further orders.

District magistrate of Rudraprayag has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami said that an inquiry has been ordered into the accident.

“SDRF [State Disaster Response Fund] and district administration teams have reached the spot for relief and rescue work,” Dhami said.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the crash was extremely unfortunate. He added that the Centre is constantly in touch with the state government to ascertain the magnitude of the loss, and is constantly monitoring the situation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said he is anguished by the fatal accident. “In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” he said.