Death toll in India chopper crash climbs to 13

Thirteen people were killed when a military helicopter carrying Indian defense chief General Bipin Rawat crashed in southern India on Wednesday, Report informs, citing Indian media.

Two defense sources said they were currently trying to ascertain Rawat's status. "We don't know yet," one of the sources told Reuters. Both declined to be named.

Rawat was appointed as India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in late 2019. The position was set up with the aim of integrating India's three services — the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

The Air Force said that Rawat, who had previously served as India's Chief of Army Staff, was traveling in an Mi-17V5 helicopter.

"An inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident," the Air Force said in a tweet.