A UPS cargo plane crashed in Kentucky, killing 12 people including three crew members and injuring several others, officials confirmed.
LOUISVILLE: Authorities in the US state of Kentucky have confirmed that 12 people have died following the crash of a UPS cargo aircraft near Louisville. The tragedy unfolded earlier this week, with Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announcing the updated death toll on Wednesday evening.
According to the mayor, three of the victims were believed to be crew members on board the aircraft. Others were on the ground when the crash occurred. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also shared that one of the deceased is thought to be a young child, marking a particularly heartbreaking aspect of the incident.
Emergency services responded to the crash scene immediately, but despite swift action, the severity of the crash resulted in multiple fatalities and left more than a dozen individuals injured. Victims suffered a range of injuries, including serious burns, smoke inhalation, and shrapnel wounds.
The aircraft, operated by UPS, was en route through the state when it encountered technical difficulties shortly before the crash. Investigations are ongoing, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leading efforts to determine the cause of the crash.
Local officials have extended support to the victims’ families and are providing trauma counselling to affected community members. Governor Beshear expressed his condolences and emphasised that Kentucky will offer full assistance in the investigation and support for those impacted.
This incident marks one of the most severe cargo aviation accidents in the US in recent years and has prompted renewed calls for stringent air safety protocols, particularly for freight aircraft operating near residential areas.
