Multiple people were killed Sunday afternoon when an Amazon-branded cargo aircraft overran the runway at Miami International Airport and struck several vehicles beyond the airport’s limits.
Local officials confirmed that five people died in the crash. Another five people were injured, and three of them are in critical condition, according to Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah.
Authorities have not said if those killed were on board the Boeing 767-300, in vehicles on the ground, or some combination of both. It was also not clear how many people were on the airplane.
The aircraft, operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, overran Miami’s diagonal runway around 2 p.m. local time after a flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the FAA. Video filmed at the scene showed the badly damaged jet on fire, with thick, dark smoke billowing from what appeared to be the engines. The flames were put out by fire crews.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said more than 60 of its units responded to the crash.
“We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.”
Amazon is working closely with the authorities and “will cooperate fully with any investigation,” Nantel added.
Initially, all four runways at Miami were shut down, but as Sunday evening two were back operating.
The FAA and NTSB are now investigating the incident.
