A cargo plane operating for Amazon veered off the runway this Sunday at Miami International Airport, resulting in five deaths. The incident caused delays and the temporary suspension of operations at one of the main airport terminals in the United States.
Miami Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said there is “no apparent threat to public safety” stemming from the incident, but that there are “at least five fatalities” at the scene.
According to the New York Post, the flight had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, bound for Miami. Cars and trucks were seen stopped along the side of the road in the area.
According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft involved was a Boeing 767-300 that veered off the runway around 2 p.m. (local time) during landing in Miami. The plane had departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Air Flight 7598 veered off the runway after landing at Miami International Airport around 2 p.m. (local time) on Sunday, September 6. The Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft took off from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The FAA will investigate,” the agency wrote, and asked travelers to contact their respective airlines for additional information regarding their scheduled flights.
“Upon arrival, emergency personnel found an aircraft engulfed in flames as a result of the accident, with intense fire and heavy smoke. Firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze and attend to the injured,” it explained.
Meanwhile, Miami International Airport reported that the aircraft came to a stop in the northeast corner of the airport and that all runways and taxiways remain closed, resulting in the suspension of all takeoffs and landings.
Images circulating on social media show the aircraft in the middle of the road with a large plume of smoke trailing behind it.
An airport spokesperson stated that all runways and taxiways were closed and that a suspension of ground operations was in effect.
During this suspension, all flights are on hold, and the airport is essentially closed. The FAA has already indicated that it anticipates flight delays after Miami International Airport reopens and that there will be a low volume of arrivals and departures.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported that the plane crashed into several vehicles after veering off the runway. Upon arrival, emergency crews found the aircraft engulfed in flames. Sixty fire units were on the scene attempting to extinguish the fire, the agency stated in a social media post that afternoon.
Source: EFE and AP
