At least nine people have died after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening, according to state officials.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the death toll, warning that the figure is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. At least 11 other people sustained injuries, described by officials as “very significant.”
The crash occurred around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT) as the freight plane departed on a long-haul journey to Hawaii.
Explosion and Major Blaze
The incident sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky, caused by a massive fire as the plane, carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of jet fuel, exploded. The intensity of the blaze prompted officials to issue an initial shelter-in-place order for residents within a five-mile radius due to concerns over further explosions and air pollution.
The governor has since declared a state of emergency to accelerate the movement of emergency resources.
The crash site engulfed at least two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling company. Officials stated that two workers at one of the auto businesses were still unaccounted for.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the airport runway has since reopened for flights to resume.
Investigation Underway
UPS confirmed that three crew members were on board the aircraft. Officials have expressed concern over the difficulty of identifying victims, noting that the fire heavily destroyed the plane, creating a large debris zone.
Federal officials from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are on the ground leading the preliminary investigation. However, officials stated that it is too early to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Kentucky Representative Morgan McGarvey noted that the high volume of spilled fuel made it look like it was “raining oil” in Louisville when the crash occurred.
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