Death toll rises in US cargo plane disaster

The death toll from the cargo plane that crashed shortly after takeoff in the US state of Kentucky has risen again. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that one of the people who lost their lives in the tragedy was a child.

THE SCALE OF THE TRAGEDY IS EXPANDING

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced in a statement on the social media platform X that the death toll has reached at least 12. Greenberg drew attention to the ongoing search efforts, saying, "It is with great sadness that I report there are still missing persons."

Emphasizing that no one has to face this painful event alone, Greenberg said, "We will continue to provide help and support to everyone affected by this heartbreaking event."

Stating that he visited the crash site with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and US Representative Morgan McGarvey, Greenberg described the scene they witnessed by saying, "The scene we saw was devastating." He also noted that the investigation would continue in coordination with local and state agencies.

"ONE OF THE VICTIMS WAS A CHILD"

Governor Andy Beshear, while announcing in a post on his X account that one of the victims was a child, expressed his feelings by saying, "It is impossible to describe the devastation caused by yesterday's deadly plane crash. My heart is broken." Stating that he stands with those affected by the crash, Beshear said, "We will get through this together."

ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE WING

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman shared the initial findings of the investigation in a statement to reporters. Stating that teams have obtained footage showing the plane's left engine separating from the wing at the moment of takeoff, Inman said it was determined that the engine remained on the runway.

Inman also stated that the data and cockpit voice recorders, known as the "black box," have been recovered and sent to Washington for examination.

THE CRASHED PLANE BELONGED TO UPS

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo plane belonging to the company UPS crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville International Airport with 3 crew members on board.

UPS had previously made headlines with a crash in Birmingham, Alabama, in August 2013, involving an Airbus-type plane; 2 crew members lost their lives in that incident as well.

News Source: İHA