In Uttarakhand, Indian Airforce helicopters on Friday airlifted water from Bhimtal in Nainital district, to combat the forest fire raging in Almora district’s Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Four firefighters lost their lives, and four others sustained serious injuries due to a massive fire that erupted at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Almora district on Thursday. The incident took place when an eight-member team rushed to the spot to extinguish the fire.
IAF Mi17 V5 helicopters leapt into action today taking off from Sarsawa at first light to undertake Bambi Bucket ops to extinguish the blazing fires in Almora district.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 14, 2024
This comes after the State administration's request for dousing the uncontrollable fire at the Binsar Wildlife… pic.twitter.com/P3DMD8nuOP
However, the situation took a tragic turn, when strong winds exacerbated the flames, resulting in the death of four team members and serious injuries to the remaining four. The injured have been airlifted to Haldwani base hospital. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of 10 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased.