UPS plane crash kills several in Kentucky airport

A tragic event unfolded on Tuesday as a UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded during takeoff from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky. The accident resulted in the loss of at least nine lives, with 15 individuals sustaining injuries and another 16 people reported missing. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. as the plane was heading to Honolulu from Muhammad Ali International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the crash, revealing video footage showing flames on the aircraft's wing before it went down in flames, causing a massive fireball. Substantial damage was also seen to nearby structures, with officials indicating that four of the fatalities were not passengers on the plane. Among the injured, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear noted some had suffered severe injuries, expressing concerns about a higher death toll. The governor declared a state of emergency following the disaster, with reports stating at least two individuals are in critical condition and eight others with non-life-threatening injuries. UPS, which has a major facility in Louisville handling hundreds of thousands of packages daily, suspended package sorting operations without a specified restart time. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft involved in the crash had three crew members onboard, but their status remains unknown. The large fire ensuing from the crash quickly spread to nearby businesses, exacerbating the impact. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, and caution is advised when viewing graphic footage of the crash. Witnesses described the harrowing event, with reports of massive explosions and billowing smoke rising into the sky, leaving residents and diners at nearby establishments shaken.