Pune: The helicopter which crashed in Bavdhan Budruk area on Wednesday (October 2) morning was en route to pick up Sunil Tatkare, the state president of Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in Mumbai.

Tragically, before it could complete its journey, the aircraft crashed in a hilly area near Pune, killing both pilots and an engineer on board.

The helicopter, owned by a Delhi-based company, was stationed in Parli the previous day before flying to Pune. It had taken off from the helipad at Oxford County Resort on Wednesday morning, destined for Mumbai to transport Tatkare.

However, just a few minutes into the flight, it encountered difficulties due to thick fog, which severely reduced visibility in the area. The helicopter crashed into a hill near the Pune-Bangalore highway, and moments later, it burst into flames.

After receiving news of the crash, emergency teams from the Hinjewadi Police, Fire Brigade, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the site.

Rescue operations were initiated immediately, but all three occupants were found dead at the scene due to the intensity of the crash and subsequent fire. Efforts to identify the victims are currently underway.

The crash area, a dense and foggy hilly region, has been cordoned off, and authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident. While preliminary assessments point to poor visibility due to fog as the likely cause, a thorough investigation is being conducted to rule out any technical malfunctions or other contributing factors.

Sunil Tatkare, who was supposed to board the helicopter in Mumbai for a trip to Sutarwadi, was not onboard at the time of the crash. The helicopter was still on its way to pick him up when the accident occurred.

Tatkare has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident, but political circles have been shaken by the tragic accident.

Meanwhile, rescue teams continue to work at the site, securing the wreckage and gathering evidence.