At least five are dead after an Amazon cargo plane overshot the runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon, colliding with several vehicles and injuring more people, according to officials.
“Today is an incredibly difficult day for all of us here in Miami-Dade County,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters. “Earlier today, we know the Prime Air Flight 7598 overran the runway, and now we know that five people lost their lives and five others were injured.
“My heart is with all of the families who were affected, and to everyone who is grieving tonight,” she continued. “And we’re also praying for the injured, and for their families.”
Initial video of the incident showed the Boeing 767-300 skewed sideways from the landing strip while flames and black smoke billowed overhead.
“We have multiple individuals that were transported to local hospitals with unknown injuries,” Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz told reporters on Sunday, adding that the office’s homicide bureau will be in charge of the death investigation alongside local and federal law enforcement.
It’s unclear whether the deaths were from the ground or from within the plane itself. Cordero-Stutz said the scene is still active, and that the sheriff’s office has opened a hotline for people who believe their loved ones were affected by the incident.
Fire Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah confirmed earlier reports that multiple vehicles were struck in the crash, and that nearly 200 members of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were deployed to help with firefighting and search-and-rescue efforts. Rescuers helped a couple of victims trapped inside the vehicles, Jadallah said.
“We had a very complex fire, engine compartments that were on fire, including a search-and-rescue of the pilot and co-pilot that were trapped in this aircraft,” the chief said.
In audio of an emergency radio dispatch obtained by the Miami Herald, a firefighter was heard telling colleagues, “The plane is on fire. The plane is on fire. Put your game faces on guys.”
Complicating the situation, firefighters reportedly had to battle flames and try to extract any injured patients while the aircraft’s left engine remained running.
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration said 21 Air Flight 7598 overran the runway while landing around 2 p.m. after departing from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier that day.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it has launched a team to investigate the crash, and will hold a media briefing Monday.
“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,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a statement.
“The airplane, which was operated by 21 Air, was attempting to land when this incident occurred,” she continued. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to learn more and will cooperate fully with any investigation.”
Miami International Airport originally implemented a ground stoppage. As of about 6:30 p.m. ET, the airport said two of its four runways are now open, “but we are still experiencing impacts from this incident.”
“Passengers with flights scheduled today should check directly with their airline for flight status updates before heading to the airport,” the airport posted on X.