Five killed and five injured after Amazon cargo plane overruns Miami runway

Five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon cargo plane overshot a runway after landing at Miami International Airport, struck vehicles and caught fire, officials said.

Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Ray Jadallah said three injured people were taken to trauma centers in critical condition, while two others received treatment at a local hospital. The aircraft also hit several vehicles, trapping victims inside them.

“

The airplane did strike a couple of vehicles, which left a couple of victims that were actually trapped in the vehicles.

Rescue teams carried out a complex extrication operation involving technical rescue specialists. They also searched for the pilot and co-pilot, who were trapped in the aircraft. Jadallah did not say whether either survived, and officials ended their brief statements without taking questions.

“

A complex extrication with our technical rescue team was needed, including a search and rescue of the pilot and co-pilot who were trapped in this aircraft.

Video showed thick smoke rising from the blue-and-white Boeing 767 after it arrived at 1:58 p.m. from Puerto Rico. The aircraft, operating as Prime Air Flight 7598, caught fire after the crash. Sixty fire vehicles and nearly 200 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded, Jadallah said.

Fire officials later said crews used foam to extinguish a fire in the engine compartment. One person trapped beneath a vehicle was freed by specialized technical rescue personnel. Hazardous-materials teams shut down the aircraft’s engine and worked to control a fuel leak.

“

The actual cause of the incident will be determined by the FAA and the NTSB.

The NTSB said the B-767-300 was flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and had sent a team to investigate the runway excursion. Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company would cooperate with the investigation, adding, “We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.” The FAA and NTSB will determine the cause.

“

We’re heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.