Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency following the crash of a UPS cargo plane shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport, which has claimed at least nine lives.
The MD-11 aircraft, a 34-year-old model, reportedly caught fire moments after departure and crashed near an industrial area, destroying two nearby businesses and causing significant operational delays for the global shipping company.
Governor Beshear told reporters that the death toll could rise, as emergency crews continue their search efforts. The aircraft struck a fuel company facility, triggering a massive blaze visible for miles.
To speed up the response, Beshear said the emergency declaration would allow state resources to be deployed more quickly to the crash site.
According to UPS, three crew members were on board, and none survived. Around 200 firefighters and emergency personnel, with 50 fire trucks, were deployed to control the flames. Authorities confirmed that 11 people were hospitalized, two in critical condition, and at least 10 others remain missing.
Officials said the Louisville International Airport reopened for air traffic on Wednesday, though the runway where the crash occurred will remain closed for about 10 more days.
UPS announced a temporary suspension of several operations, as investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began examining the cause of the accident.
GE Aerospace, the manufacturer of the aircraft’s engines, said it is cooperating with UPS and U.S. authorities to assist in the investigation.
The plane was reportedly carrying enough fuel for an 8.5-hour flight to Honolulu, adding to the fire’s intensity after the crash.
This marks the first fatal UPS cargo plane crash since August 2013, when an Airbus aircraft went down while attempting to land in Birmingham, Alabama, killing both crew members.
