Bhubaneswar: Five people were killed on Tuesday morning after a small aircraft crash-landed and caught fire while en route from Mumbai to Baramati, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed. The incident occurred at around 8:45 am, when the plane broke apart after coming down in a field and burst into flames.
According to the DGCA, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, 66, was travelling on the aircraft to attend election-related engagements in Baramati. All five occupants on board — including a security officer, an attendant, the pilot and the first officer — lost their lives in the crash. Rescue teams reached the site soon after the incident and recovered charred remains from the wreckage.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick smoke and flames rising from the crash site, prompting locals to alert emergency services. Fire and disaster response teams were deployed to contain the blaze and secure the area.
Political leaders across party lines expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were among those who conveyed condolences to the families of the victims. Several NCP leaders and workers were seen in distress following confirmation of the deaths.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash. Initial scrutiny has also drawn attention to a previous aviation incident involving the same aircraft model in 2023, though officials said it was too early to establish any direct link.
The crash comes at a sensitive time amid heightened political activity in Maharashtra, adding to the impact of the tragedy. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
-OdishaAge
