At least seven people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured after a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening.

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F operating as UPS Flight 2976, was bound for Honolulu, Hawaii when it went down around 5:15 p.m. local time, approximately three miles south of the airport. The plane was carrying three crew members, all of whom are feared dead, according to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

Authorities said the crash was “catastrophic,” and warned that the number of casualties may rise as recovery operations continue. Four of the victims were on the ground when the aircraft struck two nearby businesses, identified as Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts. Two employees of the auto parts business remain unaccounted for.

Governor Beshear described the scene as “devastating,” noting that the fire continued to burn for several hours before being brought under control. “It may be some time before we can account for everyone or know that no one else was on the grounds,” he said.

Officials from UofL Health said they received 10 patients from the crash site, with two in critical condition at the burn center. The injuries range from burns to trauma caused by debris and shockwaves from the explosion.

Witnesses reported seeing flames erupt from one of the engines moments after takeoff. A video circulating on social media shows the aircraft losing altitude and exploding on impact, producing a massive plume of smoke visible for miles.

Preliminary reports suggest a possible engine failure during takeoff. The aircraft was carrying approximately 220,000 pounds (38,000 gallons) of jet fuel for the long-haul flight to Hawaii, which contributed to the intensity of the blaze.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation. The NTSB confirmed that a team of air safety investigators arrived on site early Wednesday to begin collecting evidence. The FAA said the airport would remain closed until at least 7 a.m. Wednesday, and issued a temporary flight restriction within five nautical miles of the crash site, allowing only emergency and relief aircraft to operate.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the crash “an incredible tragedy our community will never forget,” adding that “every emergency agency is responding to the scene.” The mayor urged residents to stay clear of the area and comply with safety directives.

A shelter-in-place order was initially issued for a five-mile radius around the airport due to smoke and possible hazardous materials. The restriction was later reduced to a one-mile radius on Tuesday night as conditions stabilized.

UPS, which operates its global logistics hub known as Worldport at the Louisville airport, expressed sorrow over the tragedy. “We are terribly saddened by the accident in Louisville,” the company said in a statement. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone affected. UPS is committed to cooperating fully with investigators.”

Boeing, which acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, also released a statement: “Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand ready to support our customer and have offered technical assistance to the NTSB.”

Governor Beshear confirmed that there was no hazardous cargo aboard the plane. Local authorities expect cleanup and investigation efforts to continue for several days.

The Louisville crash marks one of the deadliest U.S. cargo aviation accidents in recent years and has prompted renewed scrutiny of aircraft safety standards and emergency procedures at major logistics hubs. (ILKHA)