A private plane carrying Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, India, crashed in an open field in Baramati, western India, on Wednesday, killing all five people on board.

The aircraft, a Learjet 45, was en route from Mumbai, India's financial capital, to Baramati, Pawar's hometown, when it crash-landed and burst into flames approximately 159 miles from Mumbai.

The reason for the crash is still unknown, and an investigation has been launched by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Television footage showed smoke rising from the wreckage, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of explosions and uncontrollable fire.

Pawar, 66, was a prominent politician and the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, holding the position six times under various governments. He was traveling to Baramati to attend public meetings ahead of the Zilla Parishad elections.

The crash has been met with widespread grief and tributes from political leaders across India, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other prominent politicians. The Maharashtra government has declared three days of mourning, with state and national flags flying at half-mast.

The aircraft's wreckage was engulfed in flames, and rescue teams were unable to pull out anyone due to the intense fire. The DGCA has confirmed that there were no survivors, and a high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.