Watch: Helicopter flying Indian President to Kerala sinks into landing pad

Indian President Droupadi Murmu encountered an unexpected incident during her visit to Kerala on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The helicopter transporting her to Sabarimala sank into a depression on a newly constructed helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam. The incident occurred when the helicopter landed, causing its wheels to get stuck in the concrete. Visuals broadcasted on TV channels showed police and fire department personnel physically pushing the helicopter out of the sunken spot. A senior police officer revealed that the stadium was chosen as the landing site at the last minute, leading to the hurried construction of the helipad late on Tuesday. Despite the scare, President Murmu continued her journey by road, reaching Pamba by 11 am IST. She proceeded to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, followed by rituals at the Pampa river and nearby temples, including the Lord Ganapathy shrine. The incident has sparked discussions about infrastructure safety and preparedness for high-profile visits.