A helicopter carrying seven people crashed on Sunday in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, news agency ANI reported.

The aircraft had gone missing in the Gaurikund area of the state, ANI reported, citing an official.

The incident took place around 5.20am, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) revealed in a statement.

The DCGA further added that the helicopter had taken off at 5.19am from Guptkanshi and crashed near Gaurikund. "Today, Aryan Aviation Bell 407 helicopter VT-BKA operating flight on sector Shri Kedarnath ji- Aryan Helipad, Guptkanshi, was involved in an accident. There were five passengers, one infant and one crew member on board. The helicopter took off at 05.19 hours for Guptkanshi and crashed near Gaurikund."

"As a precautionary measure, DGCA has already reduced the frequency of helicopter operations to Char Dham and is carrying out enhanced surveillance and reviewing the operation for any further action. The AAIB would investigate the accident," it added.

Meanwhile the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) had earlier said there were six people on board.

"There were six passengers, including the pilot (5 adults and 1 child). The passengers in the helicopter are from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In view of relief and rescue, NDRF and SDRF teams have been dispatched to the site of the incident," the authority had said.

Broadcaster India Today cited officials as saying the helicopter lost course due to bad weather.

With inputs from Reuters