A plane has crashed in the Maharashtra region of India, killing the state’s deputy leader along with four other people.

Ajit Pawar and four other people were on the private plane travelling from India’s financial capital, Mumbai, to the minister’s home city, Baramati. The reason for the crash, which happened in a field 159miles from Mumbai, was not immediately known.

Local media cited poor visibility as a possible cause of the crash, which is being investigated by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, AP reported. “At ‍first it was on fire, after that there were four or five more explosions,” ANI News reported, quoting a witness.

Paying tributes on X, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Shri Ajit Pawar ji was a people’s leader who had a strong bond with the people and a deep connection with the grassroots. He was widely respected as a hardworking personality who always remained at the forefront in the service of the people of Maharashtra.

“He had profound knowledge of administrative matters. His passion for the empowerment of the poor and the deprived was particularly noteworthy. His untimely demise is extremely shocking and deeply saddening. Heartfelt condolences to his family and countless admirers.”

Pawar, 66, was the deputy chief minister of India’s western Maharashtra state. He was traveling to Baramati to campaign in a local election, AP also said. India’s civil aviation minister said visibility was poor at the airport at the time of the crash. The aviation regulator has launched an investigation, the BBC reported.

Mr Pawar was part of Mr Modi’s ruling coalition. India’s aviation regulator has said that the aircraft he was travelling on was a Bombardier Learjet 45, which is a small business jet commonly used for charter flights and VIP travel in India, the BBC added.

Mr Pawar was accompanied by two staff members and two crew members who also died in the crash.