Five killed after plane crashes during emergency landing & erupts into fireball as top official confirmed among victims

FIVE people have been killed in a horror plane crash after the aircraft smashed into the ground and erupted into a fireball.

A top deputy chief minister was onboard the private plane when it plunged to the ground just 100ft away from a runway in western India.

Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, 66, died in the crash near Baramati alongside four others, including two pilots and two members of his security staff.

All those onboard were pulled from the burning wreckage already dead, officials confirmed.

A terrified witness told ANI: “I saw it with my own eyes. When the plane was descending, it looked like it would crash and it did. Soon after, it exploded.

“When we rushed to the spot, the aircraft was completely on fire. There were four to five more explosions.

“People tried to pull the passengers out but the fire was too intense.”

The Learjet 45 was en route from India’s financial capital of Mumbai to Pawar’s home city of Baramati when it crash-landed at around 8:45am this morning.

Footage shows dozens of emergency officers and locals rushing over to the smoldering aircraft as it sat smoking in an open field after the disaster.

Pawar was a key figure in politics for decades and was the second highest elected official in Maharashtra.

He formed part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition in the state.

Modi paid tribute to his friend after news of his death as he said: “His understanding of administrative matters and passion for empowering the poor and downtrodden were noteworthy.

“His untimely demise is very shocking and saddening. Condolences to his family and countless admirers.”

He is survived by his wife Sunetra and sons Parth and Jay.

Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh added: “Deeply shocked and pained to learn about the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Ajit Pawar.

“Throughout his long public life, he remained committed to the development and prosperity of Maharashtra.

“He was known for his compassion for the people and his unwavering dedication to public service.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, well-wishers, and admirers.”

Investigations into what caused the crash are ongoing.