At least seven people were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening, according to Governor Andy Beshear.
Beshear said the aircraft’s three crew members were believed to be among the dead after the plane exploded moments after departure around 5:15 p.m. local time (10:15 p.m. GMT). The crash sent huge plumes of black smoke soaring into the sky and caused a massive fire that engulfed nearby buildings.
Authorities reported that at least 11 people were injured, with several suffering serious injuries. Officials warned that the death toll could rise, as two employees from an auto business hit by the plane remained missing as of Tuesday night. It was also unclear how many customers were inside the shop when the crash occurred.
In a brief statement, UPS confirmed that three crew members were onboard but said it could not yet confirm any casualties. A federal investigation has begun, though officials said it is too early to determine the cause of the crash.
Investigators noted that the fire’s intensity was fueled by the large amount of jet fuel onboard. The aircraft, which had been bound for Hawaii, was carrying nearly 38,000 gallons (144,000 liters) of fuel when it went down.
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