UPS Plane Crashes Near Louisville Airport, Killing at Least 12
A UPS plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Tuesday near Louisville International Airport in Kentucky, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and injuring more than a dozen others, officials confirmed.
Ongoing Search and Unconfirmed Casualties
The death toll is expected to rise as several individuals remain unaccounted for. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg warned the public that more casualties are likely. By Wednesday night, at least 14 people were reported missing.
"There are a handful of other people that we're still searching for," Governor Beshear said during a Wednesday news briefing.
Officials have not confirmed whether the three UPS crew members on board were among the victims. It is believed that one of the deceased may be a young child. Beshear stated,
"We do not expect to find anyone else alive."
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation and announced on Wednesday afternoon that the plane's black boxes, which record flight data, have been recovered.
Emergency Response and Victim Identification
Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency in response to the crash. No victims have been officially identified yet. Mayor Greenberg noted that the Jefferson County Coroner is on site to begin the identification process.
"The Jefferson County Coroner has been at the scene and will make identifications," Greenberg said.
This tragic event continues to unfold as authorities search for missing persons and work to determine the full scope of the disaster.
Author's summary: A UPS plane crash near Louisville has claimed at least 12 lives, with more missing; authorities have recovered flight data recorders and continue urgent search and identification efforts.