Pune : A major shock has hit Maharashtra’s political circle after a small aircraft carrying Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar crashed in the Baramati area of Pune district on Tuesday morning. The accident reportedly took place around 9:30 am.

Soon after the crash, local police, fire brigade teams, and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force rushed to the spot and started rescue operations.

The aircraft went down in an agricultural field. Thick smoke and fire at the site made rescue work difficult. According to initial reports, apart from the Deputy Chief Minister, the plane was carrying the pilot, co-pilot, and members of his security and staff.

The exact number of injured or dead has not yet been confirmed. However, the badly damaged wreckage has raised fears that survival chances may be very low.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reached the accident site and held a high-level meeting to review the situation. Leaders from across political parties in the state expressed deep shock and concern over the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers also expressed their condolences.

The cause of the crash is not known yet. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and other concerned authorities have begun an investigation at the site.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally