NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister
Devendra Fadnavis and six other people escaped unhurt after the chopper they were in crash-landed in
Latur , Maharashtra, on Thursday just after noon.
The CM's media advisor Ketan Pathak was slightly bruised but was only needed minor first-aid.
The Sikorsky VT-CMM helicopter took off at noon from Nilanga in Latur and crash-landed close to the helipad, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The chief minister was on his way back to Mumbai after a breakfast meeting with farmers in Nilanga.
Read this story in Marathi"After take-off, pilot found variable wind pattern. Pilot decided to land back. During landing, the helicopter got entangled in wires. The helicopter has sustained susbtantial damage," it added, explaining what caused the crash.
Soon after the incident, Fadnavis tweeted to say he and his team are safe.
"All people are safe and escaped unhurt. Spoke to commander of the flight as well as Hon'ble CM. Both informed well being of all occupants," the DGCA added.
According to his tweets posted before he boarded the chopper, the
BJP chief minister was in
Halgara village in Latur as part of the ShivarSamvad initiative, which involves interactions and discussions with farmers.
He congratulated the village for its water conservation efforts.
Fadnavis said it was "inspiring" that Halgara had become free of relying on water tankers.
Read this story in Gujarati