The death toll from a cargo plane crash in the U.S. state of Kentucky that occurred shortly after takeoff has risen to 11.
“The death toll has increased by two to 11. We no longer expect to find any survivors,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said at a briefing.
The governor also suggested the total death toll could reach 12. “The safety of first responders is a priority at this time,” he said. he. Beshear said search and rescue operations at the scene were continuing. According to him, at the moment, 16 families have filed statements about the disappearance of their relatives.
He also noted that 11 people injured as a result of the disaster were promptly transported to the nearest medical facilities to provide the necessary assistance. At the same time, Beshear assured that there was no “particularly dangerous cargo” on board the aircraft that could provoke an environmental threat.
In turn, a statement from the University of Louisville Medical Center said that the condition of the two victims is assessed as critical.
Videos showing the moment of takeoff are being circulated on social networks. Flames shoot out from the engine on the left wing of the plane, and immediately after lifting off the runway, the plane loses altitude, falls to the ground and instantly turns into a giant fireball.
The tragic incident occurred at the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville. An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash of an MD-11 aircraft operating UPS Flight 2976 in Honolulu, Hawaii.