A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday in Louisville, Kentucky, as a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded during takeoff, resulting in at least three fatalities and 11 injuries.
The governor indicated that the number of casualties is expected to rise. The aircraft went down around 5:15 p.m. while en route to Honolulu from Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Dramatic footage captured flames engulfing the plane’s left wing before it crashed and erupted into a massive fireball. Debris from the aircraft damaged a nearby building’s roof at the end of the runway.
“We’re urging all Kentuckians to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear in a statement to The Associated Press.
The crash prompted a swift and extensive emergency response, with various law enforcement and fire departments rushing to the scene. Due to the intense flames, some responders had to seek cover behind structures for safety, Governor Beshear noted.
“The situation remains highly perilous due to the presence of flammable and potentially explosive materials,” added Beshear.
Mayor Craig Greenberg expressed deep concern over the presence of fuel on the plane, citing multiple risks associated with the substance.
Louisville is home to UPS’s largest package handling facility, boasting thousands of employees, 300 daily flights, and an impressive package sorting capacity of over 400,000 items per hour.
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for areas north of the airport stretching to the Ohio River, given the proximity of residential neighborhoods, recreational facilities, and cultural attractions in the vicinity.
The ill-fated McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, owned by UPS, was constructed in 1991.
