Louisville UPS plane crash death toll rises to 9, with 16 individuals still unaccounted for.
A UPS cargo plane suffered a catastrophic crash and explosion in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and leaving over a dozen others unaccounted for. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. shortly after the aircraft took off from UPS Worldport at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, bound for Honolulu. All three crew members aboard the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 perished, along with at least six additional individuals on the ground, according to officials, including Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. The mayor indicated the possibility of the death toll increasing as search and recovery efforts progress.
Emergency responders have been on the scene since daylight broke, and recovery efforts have been bolstered by the arrival of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is launching a thorough investigation into the incident. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky reported that 16 families had gathered at a reunification center, expressing concern for loved ones reported unaccounted for. Meanwhile, ten individuals injured in the incident are being treated at UofL Health, with two in critical condition and eight others expected to survive.
Witnesses captured video footage of the disaster, which depicted a fire emanating from the left wing of the plane prior to its explosive descent into a massive fireball. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was loaded with approximately 38,000 gallons of jet fuel, further intensifying the blaze. The flames subsequently ignited multiple fires along an industrial corridor adjacent to the airport, leading authorities to suspend flight operations for the night. Affected facilities included businesses located just south of the airport, such as Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts.
In light of the situation, Mayor Greenberg indicated that one runway at Louisville Airport has reopened, and a shelter-in-place order was modified to a quarter-mile radius surrounding the crash site. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the sequence of events that led to this tragic accident, as officials continue to assess the implications for public safety and aviation protocols.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, officials remain focused on providing support to affected families and ensuring a comprehensive response to the incident. Recovery efforts will continue in the days ahead, as more details about the circumstances surrounding the crash are expected to emerge.
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