Nov. 5 (UPI) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that nine people died in a UPS plane crash in Louisville, Ky., a figure that could increase as emergency workers search for 16 missing people.
“Kentucky, more heartbreaking news out of Louisville. The number of those lost has now risen to at least nine, with the possibility of more. Right now these families need prayers, love and support. Let’s wrap our arms around them during this unimaginable time,” Beshear said on social media.
There were 11 people injured and at least 16 people missing as of Wednesday morning. There are two in critical condition and eight with non-life-threatening injuries at University of Louisville hospitals, WLKY-TV in Louisville reported. Beshear said he expects those numbers to rise.
The UPS plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD11 freighter, took off from Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday and crashed at about 5:15 p.m. EST, soon after takeoff. Videos of the incident appear to show the plane’s engine on fire, then a crash followed by an explosion. Firefighters worked to contain the fire until it was fully extinguished at around 11 p.m. Tuesday. It took more than 100 first responders nearly 6 hours to get it under control, WLKY said.
There were three crew members on UPS Flight 2976 headed for Honolulu, Hawaii. It had 38,000 gallons of jet fuel on board for the long flight.
Mayor Craig Greenberg said the first four confirmed deaths were not of people on board the plane.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., who represents Louisville, said on X: “I’m heartbroken that we’ve now lost at least nine people in last night’s tragic plane crash. Please join me in lifting up their loved ones and all who are still waiting on news.”
The airport is in the middle of the metro area. It’s surrounded by industrial business, including two that were affected by the crash, Grade A Auto Parts and Kentucky Petroleum Recycling.
The recycling facility recycles oil and petroleum products, and those products may have contributed to the size of the explosion. Grade A Autoparts is a facility where customers can remove parts from old cars on the lot. Two workers from those businesses were missing, and it’s unclear how many customers were there at the time of the crash, WHAS11-TV in Louisville reported.
On Tuesday, a shelter-in-place order was issued for a 5-mile radius around the airport, but that radius has been reduced to a quarter of a mile.
All flights in and out of the airport were canceled Tuesday evening, but the airport resumed flights as of Wednesday morning, though delays were expected.
Sorting at UPS Worldport in Louisville was canceled for Tuesday.
UPS released a statement Tuesday night about the crash.
“We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville. Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers,” the statement said.
“We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration. We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts.”
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