Child Believed to Be Among 12 Killed in ‘Apocalyptic’ UPS Plane Crash After Freighter Falls from Sky After Take-Off

Officials have confirmed that the death toll from the UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has risen to 12, with one of the victims possibly being a child.

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced the updated toll on Wednesday, Nov. 5 — one day after the tragic crash — according to ABC affiliate WHAS. Three of the deceased are believed to be the individuals who were onboard the plane when it went down on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said that authorities suspect a child may be among those killed, according to NBC affiliate WLWT and ABC News.

Greenberg cautioned that “there could be more confirmed fatalities” as recovery operations continue, WHAS reported.

Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey described the crash site as “apocalyptic,” saying the tragedy will “change people’s lives in this community forever,” according to CNN.

Fifteen others were injured and transported to the University of Louisville Health for treatment, CBS affiliate WLKY reported. Thirteen have since been released, while two remain in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Several individuals are still unaccounted for. “There are a handful of other people that we’re still searching for, that we hope weren’t on site and that we hope were somewhere else,” Gov. Beshear said, according to UPI.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified the plane as an MD-11-F traveling from Louisville to Honolulu. NTSB member Todd Inman stated that the crash occurred at around 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

Preliminary findings indicate that “a large plume of fire” erupted from the left wing area during the aircraft’s takeoff roll. Despite gaining some altitude and clearing a runway fence, the plane crashed into multiple structures beyond the airport property.

Airport CCTV footage captured the left engine detaching from the wing during takeoff, Inman said. Investigators believe the detached engine found near the crash site came from the plane’s left side.

Following the crash, Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency and launched the Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund, which will provide financial assistance for victims, funerals, and recovery efforts, according to WLWT.

“It’s going to help make sure that groups already limited in funding can get some immediate or short-term help,” Beshear said.