Photo Getty Images.
A cargo MD-11 plane belonging to United Parcel Services (UPS) crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, shortly after takeoff towards Honolulu. Currently, there are reports of three fatalities, as reported by the "Russian service of the BBC".
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, during a press conference, reported at least three victims and emphasized that this number could increase. "Those who have seen the video from the scene understand how terrible this is," he added.
According to information from UPS, there were three crew members on board the plane.
Earlier, WLKY, a CBS affiliate, showed footage of the plane taking off with a burning wing, and a massive fireball erupted upon impact.
As a result of the incident, several buildings located behind the runway caught fire, Reuters reports. At the time of the crash, there were approximately 144,000 liters of fuel on board.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the crashed plane was manufactured 34 years ago. The accident occurred around 5:15 PM local time.
Louisville Airport is home to UPS Worldport, the company’s largest cargo processing center and global hub.
Authorities have announced a need for self-isolation for residents within an 8-kilometer radius of the airport due to the ongoing fire and numerous casualties. "Many are injured, the fire continues. Please avoid this area," wrote Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg on his social media.
UPS has not yet confirmed information about the casualties. A representative from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that the organization will begin an investigation into the incident.
After the crash, Louisville Airport was closed, which is likely to affect UPS operations and its major clients, such as Amazon, Walmart, and the United States Postal Service.
The Kentucky Governor noted that there was no hazardous cargo on board the plane that could cause environmental issues.
