Ranchi: All seven people on board an air ambulance were killed when the aircraft crashed in Jharkhand state in eastern India, authorities confirmed.
The Beechcraft C90 aircraft had taken off from Ranchi airport and was flying to New Delhi on a medical evacuation mission. The flight was carrying a critically ill patient for advanced treatment.
Those who died included the patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two relatives accompanying the patient, and the pilot and co pilot.
Officials said the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control about 20 minutes after takeoff. Wreckage was later found in a forested area near Simaria in Chatra district.
Local residents reported hearing a loud sound and seeing smoke rising from the crash site before emergency teams arrived.
Preliminary information suggests the crew requested a route deviation due to poor weather conditions before communication was lost. Authorities are also examining possible technical or operational factors.
Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the wreckage and sent them for postmortem examination.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Air ambulance services are often used in India to transport critically ill patients between cities for specialized treatment. Officials said further details will be released after the investigation progresses.