At least seven dead after cargo plane crashes at Kentucky airport, as flames engulf businesses

People looking for loved ones possibly caught up in the plane crash are being urged not to go to hospitals.

Instead, officials are asking people to visit the reunification centre, which has been set up at the Louisville Metro Police Department’s training academy.

The police department adds that it is “critically important to not flood our area hospitals looking for loved ones”.

In his earlier briefing, the Louisville mayor confirmed that the families of victims will receive coordinated support from the airline and the National Transportation Safety Board under the family disaster assistance act.

UPS says they will halt overnight package sorting operations at their Worldport facility in Lousiville as a result of the crash.

“We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville,” the company writes in their statement, adding that the Kentucky city is home to its airline and “thousands of UPSers”.

UPS says they are “engaged” in the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident, and remain “in close contact” with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is now taking questions, and has been asked about the Kentucky governor’s statement on X that seven people have died as a result of the crash.

The mayor says that number is “consistent” with the preliminary investigation. He says that four of those confirmed to have died were not onboard the cargo plane, but they expect that the three crew members will eventually be added to the death toll.

Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O’Neill says the fire at Louisville international airport is almost entirely contained, with fire crews still on the ground.

He is urging residents to avoid touching any debris left in the area following the crash and subsequent fire, and instead report it to city authorities.

At least seven people have died as a result of the crash in Louisville, with the number expected to rise further, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

“First responders are onsite and working hard to extinguish the fire and continue the investigation,” he says in a post on X.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is currently giving the final briefing of the evening, and says he believes there are additional fatalities but he is unable to give specifics as families are still being informed.

The mayor says there are more than 100 firefighters on the scene at Louisville Airport, many of whom are searching for additional victims.

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy says the images coming out of Kentucky are “heartbreaking”, adding “Please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash.”

In a post on X he also confirms that the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will lead the investigation.

The Louisville Metro Emergency Services has just reduced the shelter-in-place order to people who are within a 1-mile (1.6km) radius of the Airport.

One runway at the airport has reopened but departing flights are cancelled, according to Jonathan Bevin, a public information officer at Louisville International Airport.

Four people are confirmed to have died in the plane crash, according to officer Jonathan Bevin, a public information officer at Louisville International Airport.

At least 11 other people are injured and have been taken to hospitals.

The full scale of the death toll and damage in Kentucky is still becoming clear after Tuesday’s cargo plane crash. He is what we know so far:

• A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded while taking off at Louisville International Airport at around 17:15 local time
• Nearby businesses were struck by the burning wreckage and buildings close to the airport have been engulfed in flames
• Three deaths have been confirmed so far but that number is expected to rise, with the plane’s three crew members and an unspecified number of people on the ground still unaccounted for
• Local officials have confirmed 11 people are being treated for injuries – but again, that number is expected to rise
• The plane, which was bound for Hawaii, was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it crashed
• The airport is closed to inbound and outbound traffic, with fire crews still battling the flames
• A preliminary investigation is under way but it is not yet known what caused the crash

We’re expecting another update from officials in the state shortly and will bring you more information as soon as we have it.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says they are launching a “go-team” to investigate the crash in Louisville.

The NTSB investigative team will arrive in Kentucky on Wednesday, when they will also hold a media briefing to update the public.

The time and location of that briefing is still to be determined.

Louisville, Kentucky is home to UPS Worldport, a global hub for the delivery firm’s air cargo operations and its largest package handling facility in the world.

During the briefing, Metro councilwoman Betsy Ruhe noted that Louisville is a “UPS town”, and that every resident would know somebody who works for company.

“They’re all texting their friends, their family, trying to make sure everyone is safe,” she said.

State Senator Keturah Herron said similarly, adding that “many of us watch our family members and loved ones pass through [Louisville airport] on a regular basis”, and acknowledged how “jarring” the ongoing scene at the airport would be for residents.

As we reported earlier, the airport has now closed their airfield, as first responders continue trying to control the ongoing fire and secure the scene.

During the earlier briiefing, we reported that Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he believed there are at least three fatalities in the plane crash, and a further 11 injured.

He said that he did not currently “have the status” of the crew onboard the cargo plane, and said that following a review of crash footage, authorities were “very very worried about them”.

Airplane manufacturer Boeing says it is “following the news out of Louisville” and is “ready to support our customer”.

“Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected,” it says in a statement on its website, adding that it has offered technical assistance to the National Transportation Safety Board, which will lead the investigation into the crash.

As we reported earlier, the aircraft that crashed was an MD-11F, a large freight plane originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with Boeing in 1997.

Officials, taking questions earlier from journalists, were asked if anyone was believed to be trapped after the crash.

Chief Brian O’Neill from the Louisville Fire Department says he does “not know of anybody” trapped.

Louisville Metro Police Department chief Paul Humphrey says it’s unclear how long it will take to make the crash site safe for an investigation to take place.

Humphrey says they will not be able to answer any questions regarding the cause of the crash, as the investigation will be managed by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The briefing has now ended, and officials were unable to clarify when the next update might be.

There were 38,000 gallons of fuel (about 144,000 litres) onboard the plane when it crashed while beginning its flight.

That amount of fuel weighs around 220,000 pounds (100,000 kilograms), according to local officials.

The resulting fire is still burning, with the fire department working to contain it and the public warned not to go near the crash site.

Flames and enormous plumes of smoke can be seen rising from Louisville International Airport following the crash.

Authorities say the fire is still burning, and emergency first responders have been battling to control the blaze. The public is being warned not to go near the site.