Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar among four killed in plane crash near Baramati
New Delhi, January 28. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others in a plane crash near Baramati on January 28, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed. All six people on board the aircraft lost their lives in the accident.
The aircraft went down while attempting to land near Baramati. Visuals from the crash site showed thick smoke and flames, twisted wreckage of the plane, and emergency vehicles rushing to the spot, as locals tried to assist rescue efforts in whatever way possible.
The crash occurred around 9 am, roughly an hour after the plane had departed from Mumbai. Emergency services and senior security officials reached the site soon after the aircraft reportedly lost control during the landing phase.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawar’s family members rushed to the accident location. His wife and NCP MP Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, and his cousin, NCP-SP working president Supriya Sule, were reportedly scheduled to travel to Baramati from Delhi.
Ajit Pawar was on his way from Mumbai to Baramati to attend a public meeting amid the ongoing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.
According to the Pune Superintendent of Police, three bodies were shifted to Baramati Medical College, and the process of identification is underway. A DGCA team has also arrived at the crash site to investigate the incident.
Further details about the cause of the crash are awaited. Reports said residents from nearby areas rushed to the spot after witnessing the aircraft go down.