Amazon cargo plane crash kills five at Miami airport

An Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport killed five people on Sunday, 6 September, after a Boeing 767 overran the runway, struck several vehicles and caught fire.

Reuters reports Prime Air Flight 7598 had arrived from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it ran beyond the usable runway shortly before 2pm local time.

Five people were injured and taken to hospital, including three who were critically injured, Miami-Dade County officials said. Rescue crews also worked to free people trapped in vehicles and the aircraft.

More than 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to the scene as thick smoke rose from the crash site. Authorities later reopened two of the airport’s four runways, according to The National.

Amazon said it was supporting those affected and cooperating with investigators.

‘Our absolute priority is the safety, well-being and care of everyone involved,’ Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. Officials have not yet released the identities of those who died.

The incident caused a temporary ground stop at one of the United States’ busiest airports, with widespread flight disruption reported.