India’s Maharashtra deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, has died in a plane crash, officials said on Wednesday.
The aircraft went down while attempting to land at Baramati airport in western India after taking off from Mumbai earlier in the day, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
“All five people on board have died,” the aviation regulator said.
Those killed include Pawar, two members of his staff and two crew members.
Sources told India Today that the aircraft was flying in poor weather conditions. “Visibility had dropped sharply in the morning and the aircraft was on approach when it went down,” a source said.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar showed the jet was making a second attempt to land when the crash occurred. Aviation officials quoted by The Times of India said the incident happened at about 8:45am local time.
Footage from the scene showed thick smoke and flames rising from the wreckage near the airport. A witness quoted by ANI said the aircraft exploded moments after hitting the ground.
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Due to the severity of the crash, victims were identified using personal belongings. India Today reported that Pawar’s body was identified through his watch and clothing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “shocked and saddened” by Pawar’s death.
“My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the crash. Praying for strength and courage for the bereaved families,” Modi wrote on X.
Pawar, 66, was a senior political figure in Maharashtra and was serving his sixth term as deputy chief minister. He was the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar and led a faction of the Nationalist Congress Party that later aligned with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in the state government.
Reuters reported that Pawar was travelling to his home region to campaign ahead of local body elections.
The DGCA said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Flight data, cockpit recordings and weather conditions will be examined.