At least nine people are dead and more injured after a UPS plane crashed Tuesday as it was departing Louisville, Kentucky, spurring a massive fireball and leaving a trail of destruction, officials said.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear confirmed at a news conference Wednesday that the death toll currently stands at nine, but that the number is likely to rise. UPS Flight 2976 crashed Tuesday evening as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport for Honolulu, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
"I’m now fairly confident that that number will grow by at least one," Beshear said. "We hope it doesn’t grow by too many more."
In a statement Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg was unable to confirm how many people died on the plane and how many on the ground. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, had three crew members on board, according to the FAA.
Okolona Fire District Chief Mark Little said at a press conference on Wednesday, alongside the Louisville mayor, that officials do not know how many people died from the crash.
"I don’t know how many victims we’re actually looking for. That’s one of the issues," he said. "And the debris zone is so large, so trying to get people back there and with the debris zone, some of that debris is going to have to be moved and searched underneath, so it will take us quite a while."
Heather Fountaine, a spokesperson for the University of Louisville Health, said that it had received 15 patients from the crash across several hospitals.
"As of this morning, 13 of those patients have been discharged," Fountaine said in a statement, adding that two patients remained in critical condition.
Two people were still in critical condition as of Wednesday afternoon, Dr. Jason Smith, the chief executive of University of Louisville Health and a trauma surgeon at the University of Louisville Hospital, said at a news conference on Wednesday. He added that of the 15 patients received, they were treated for burns, blast injuries and shrapnel injuries.
Beshear added that 16 families have reported loved ones who are unaccounted for.
Video from the crash shows a large fireball and smoke plume erupting from the crash site. The plane had around 38,000 gallons of fuel on board, according to officials.
"Louisville looked apocalyptic last night," Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., said at a separate press conference with Greenberg. "The images of smoke coming over our city, of debris falling in every neighborhood, people trapped in their homes, for the families who lost someone who won't be coming home. This is awful."
Beshear said approximately 200 law enforcement officers, including 18 fire departments, responded quickly to the crash, which he described as a "blazing inferno."
"There is a significant amount of resources in the search and rescue and, ultimately, what is probably by now the recovery effort that is occurring," Beshear said, later noting that he has declared a state of emergency to "move resources more quickly through emergency management and the Kentucky National Guard."
Sean Garber, who owns one of the businesses struck by the explosion, Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling, said four of his company's 18 buildings were destroyed by the blast. The crash also affected Petroleum Recycling.
"There was a huge ball of fire and massive multiple explosions occurring all around and obviously people running and screaming," Garber told NBC News.
He estimated that at least 20 people were in the buildings at the time of the explosion.
"People had to jump out windows of some of the offices because the heat had melted and blocked the doors," Garber added.
Kentucky Petroleum Recycling, a second company whose properties were damaged in the explosion, declined to comment.
Officials issued a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area, reduced to a quarter-mile radius around the crash site, the mayor said Wednesday morning. Greenberg told reporters on Wednesday that about 135 customers remained without power.
Beshear said Wednesday that a nearby restaurant, Stooges Bar and Grill, was narrowly spared in the crash and is now assisting with search-and-recovery efforts.
"We’re grateful for them,” Beshear added. "Another blessing is that this plane could have potentially hit the major Ford factory or the convention center."
The crash happened on the airport's West Runway, the airport said Tuesday. As of Wednesday morning, the airport said it was open and "available for aircraft operations."
"TSA screening remains ongoing this morning for departing passengers," the airport said in a statement on X. "Anyone scheduled to depart or arrive at SDF today is encouraged to closely monitor their flight status as delays."
Dan Mann, the chief executive of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, said Wednesday at the news conference that 12% of flights at the airport were canceled and that delays were expected. He added that the National Transportation Safety Board had arrived at the crash site and was scheduled to address the public.
UPS said in a statement Tuesday that it was "terribly saddened" by the crash.
"Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved," the company said. "UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers."
The company has a large footprint in Louisville, with roughly 25,000 of its employees based in the city, according to the company's website. UPS called the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport "the centerpiece of the company’s global air network," with roughly 400 of its flights arriving and departing each day.
UPS said Wednesday that some of its employees should not report to work that day and urged family members seeking information to call 800-631-0604.
A UPS spokesperson directed NBC News to the company's media page for updates when asked a series of questions.
The last crash involving UPS occurred in 2013 when a cargo plane crashed near Birmingham, Alabama, killing two pilots.
Beshear ordered that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff through sunset on Sunday, Nov. 9, in honor of the crash victims.
