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At least 12 people, including a young child, were killed after a UPS cargo plane erupted into a fireball just after takeoff near the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday (November 4), authorities confirmed during an update Wednesday (November 5) afternoon.
Three of the plane's crew members and nine others who have not yet been publicly identified are among the casualties, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed via ABC News. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear had confirmed that one of the victims is believed to be a young child, "which makes it all the harder," during a press briefing that took place earlier in the day.
The coroner was reported to be at the scene attempting to identify the victims, though Beshear claimed it would be "a little more difficult" due to the condition of their bodies following the massive fire. Two other people were reported to still be hospitalized in critical condition, according to the governor.
Footage shared online shows the cargo plane attempt to takeoff as fire emanates from its left wing, with the plane exploding moments later. Dashcam footage showed the plane crashing back into the runway, resulting in a massive blaze.
(Warning: the video below includes a real reaction with some coarse language).
Gov. Andy Beshear had previously announced that at least seven people were killed in the plane crash, but acknowledged that the fatalities were expected to increase, in an update shared on his X account Tuesday night, before later confirming that 16 families have reported loved ones who are unaccounted for in an update on Wednesday.
"At the reunification center at 2911 Taylor Blvd., 16 different families have reported loved ones unaccounted for. A significant search and rescue mission was underway overnight, which is continuing this morning. The shelter in place has been reduced for the Louisville area," Beshear wrote.
At least 11 others were reported to have suffered injuries, officials had previously confirmed. UPS Flight 2976 crashed at around 5:15 p.m. local time, just after departing from Louisville International Airport.
The plane was en route to Honolulu, Hawaii, when it went down about three miles south of the airfield, Louisville International Airport public safety officer Jonathan Biven confirmed during a news conference. Beshear confirmed that there wasn't any hazardous cargo onboard the plane that could've resulted in any potential environmental issues near the crash site but still urged residents to follow shelter-in-place protocol.
Police described the scene as active with "fire and debris," urging residents to avoid the intersection of Fern Valley and Grade Lane located on the south side of the airport where the UPS hub is located.