Lucrezia Ciotti An Amazon cargo plane skidded off the runway while landing at Miami Airport, crashing into vehicles and catching fire. The preliminary toll stands at at least five dead and five injured.
Prime Air Flight 7598 and the investigation into the causes of the crash
The aircraft involved appears to be a Boeing 767-300 from Prime Air flight 7598 , operated by 21 Air on behalf of Amazon.
It had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and arrived in Miami around 14 p.m. local time. After landing, the cargo plane apparently overran the airport's operational boundaries, coming to rest in the northwest area, near Northwest 42nd Avenue and 25th Street, near two trucks and other vehicles.
Despite the flames and damage, the fuselage remained largely intact.
Initial analysis of flight tracks and communications with air traffic control revealed no emergency requests from the pilots before landing. Following the incident, the airport initially suspended all operations, as announced by the airport and reported by the BBC: " Around 14 p.m. today (local time), Prime Air flight 7598 veered off the runway at Miami International Airport and is now stationary at the northwest end of the airport.
All runways are closed, and traffic is at a standstill .”
Only one runway was subsequently reopened , while delays and disruptions continued. Law enforcement also cordoned off the area around NW 67th Avenue to facilitate rescue efforts. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the runway excursion. Amazon confirmed that the aircraft was operating on its behalf and assured investigators it would cooperate, prioritizing assistance to those affected.
Cargo plane skids off runway in Miami, killing at least five and injuring five.
A tragic accident occurred at Miami International Airport, where a cargo plane operated by Amazon overran the runway during landing, crashing into vehicles on a road near the airport. According to the provisional toll from local police, at least five people were killed and five others were injured , three of them in critical condition and two with less serious injuries. Firefighters treated several injured people on the scene and managed to free one person trapped under one of the vehicles involved.
A large fire broke out after the crash . Miami-Dade firefighters reported: " Crews arriving on the scene found a plane that had caught fire following the crash, with high flames and visible smoke ." More than 60 crews were mobilized to put out the fire, provide first aid, and secure the area. The final death toll has not yet been released.
Amazon expresses condolences and assures cooperation with the investigation
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel expressed the company's sympathy to those affected by the accident at Miami International Airport. " We are deeply saddened to learn that five people lost their lives in today's accident at Miami International Airport ," she told the press, adding that " our deepest condolences go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss ." Nantel further explained that " the plane, operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when the accident occurred ." The company is " working closely with local authorities and officials to gather more information " and will ensure " our full cooperation with any investigation ."
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