Five people were killed and five others injured after an Amazon Air cargo plane overran a runway while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, according to local officials.
The Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft, operated by 21 Air, had departed from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was attempting to land in Miami at around 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 when it went beyond the runway.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed that five people died and another five were injured in the incident. The identities of those killed and injured have not yet been released.
Around 200 emergency personnel responded to the scene, carrying out search-and-rescue operations while firefighters worked to extinguish flames caused by the crash. One person became trapped beneath a vehicle and had to be freed by specialized rescue crews.
Hazardous materials teams also secured the aircraft’s engine and worked to contain a fuel leak. Of the five people transported to hospitals, three were taken to a trauma center, while two others were treated and transported to other local hospitals.
Preliminary flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft was traveling at approximately 128 mph when it left the runway.
Amazon said it was heartbroken by the loss of life and expressed condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones. The company said it would work closely with authorities as the investigation continues.
21 Air also expressed condolences and said its immediate priorities were supporting those affected and cooperating with investigators.
Federal transportation authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, with a team being sent to Miami to determine what caused the aircraft to overrun the runway.
A ground stop at Miami International Airport was lifted roughly three hours after the incident, with two of the airport’s four runways reopening.
