Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar and five others lost their lives in a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday, according to confirmation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The aircraft went down while attempting to land near Baramati, roughly an hour after departing from Mumbai at around 8 a.m. 

The crash occurred at approximately 9 a.m. Visuals from the site showed thick smoke, flames, and the wreckage of the aircraft, while ambulances and emergency responders rushed to the scene. Local residents were also seen attempting to assist rescue efforts.

Following the incident, Pawar’s family members hurried to the crash location. His wife and NCP MP Sunetra Pawar, son Parth Pawar, along with his cousin and NCP-SP working president Supriya Sule, were scheduled to travel to Baramati from Delhi.

Ajit Pawar was en route to Baramati to attend a public meeting amid the ongoing elections to Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.

Emergency services and senior security officials reached the site shortly after the crash. Rescue teams were deployed immediately after the aircraft reportedly lost control during the landing phase.

Three bodies were transported to Baramati Medical College, and the identification process is currently underway, Pune Superintendent of Police confirmed. A DGCA investigation team has also arrived at the crash site to assess the circumstances leading to the incident.

Officials said further details are awaited. Reports noted that villagers nearby rushed to the area upon witnessing the aircraft go down.

The tragedy follows earlier aviation-related incidents linked to the leader. In October 2024, a helicopter meant to transport NCP leader Sunil Tatkare crashed in Pune, and there have been past emergency landings in the region due to adverse weather conditions.