Louisville: The death toll from the UPS cargo plane crash has risen to seven, as a wide-body cargo plane carrying domestic and international packages crashed and burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Louisville International Airport on Tuesday. The incident resulted in the deaths of all three crew members onboard and caused injuries to 11 individuals on the ground.

According to Thai News Agency, the crash occurred just before sunset, leading to a fire in an industrial area adjacent to the airport. This forced authorities to suspend flight operations overnight. Louisville International Airport, home to UPS Worldport, the carrier’s global air hub and the world’s largest package sorting center, is expected to resume operations on Wednesday morning. Two runways are currently littered with debris from the plane crash.

In the wake of the crash, UPS issued a service alert on Tuesday night, indicating that its air and international package delivery schedule may be affected. The company assured that contingency plans are in place to help ensure shipments reach their final destinations as quickly as conditions allow. The tri-engine plane, which was carrying fuel for an 8.5-hour flight to Honolulu, had a crew of three onboard, none of whom survived.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, at a late-night news conference, confirmed that four people were confirmed dead on the ground, while 11 injured individuals were taken to hospitals. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that the death toll was at least seven and that it could rise, with some survivors suffering serious injuries.

CBS affiliate WLK Television aired footage showing the moment the plane crashed, with flames engulfing the aircraft as it took off and creating a large fireball as it impacted the ground. The crash affected buildings in an industrial area near the runway, including a petroleum recycling center and an auto parts business, causing significant damage.