At least five people have been killed after a cargo plane crashed at Miami International Airport, striking several vehicles during an attempted landing.
The deadly accident happened Sunday afternoon when Prime Air Flight 7598, operated by cargo carrier 21 Air on behalf of Amazon, overran a runway at the busy Florida airport.
The Boeing 767-300 was landing shortly before 2 p.m. local time after flying from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it went beyond the airport's diagonal runway and crashed. At least five people were killed and another five were taken to hospitals, with three of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
The crash also left at least two people trapped inside vehicles that were struck by the aircraft. The pilot and co-pilot were reportedly trapped inside the plane as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Authorities initially declined to release the identities of those who died.
The scale of the emergency quickly became clear as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue sent more than 60 rescue units and around 200 personnel to the airport.
Firefighters and rescue crews faced another major danger as fuel continued leaking from the damaged aircraft. Emergency workers remained at the scene for hours while crews worked to secure the area and reach those trapped.
Dramatic photographs from the crash site showed the Boeing 767 with its nose resting on the ground and its tail raised into the air. Scorch marks could also be seen along the right side of the aircraft.
The plane eventually came to rest beside rows of Tesla Cybercabs, adding to the extraordinary scene at the airport.
All flights at Miami International Airport were halted immediately following the crash. By Sunday evening, two of the airport's four runways had reopened as crews continued dealing with the aftermath.
Amazon confirmed that the aircraft was being operated on its behalf and said it was working with authorities to determine exactly what had happened.
"Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the crash, while 21 Air had not immediately provided further comment.
The accident is also drawing attention because it is not the first fatal crash involving an Amazon Prime Air operation.
In February 2019, Atlas Air Flight 3591, another Boeing 767-300 freighter operating for Amazon Prime Air, crashed into Trinity Bay while traveling from Miami to Houston. All three people aboard that aircraft were killed.
Investigators will now work to determine what caused Sunday's aircraft to overrun the runway and crash into vehicles.
With five people dead and several others seriously injured, the incident has become one of the most serious aviation accidents in the Miami area in recent years.