At least 5 dead after Amazon cargo plane barreled off runway at Miami airport

MIAMI — An Amazon cargo plane crashed off a runway at Miami International Airport on Sunday, resulting in at least five fatalities and five injuries as it collided with vehicles and erupted into flames, authorities reported. The aircraft veered off the runway around 2 p.m. following its arrival from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and plowed across a road frequented by warehouse workers and nearby businesses.

Miami-Dade County officials disclosed at a press conference that five individuals lost their lives, with three in critical condition and two others hospitalized with less severe injuries. It remained uncertain whether the deceased were passengers onboard the plane or occupants of the struck vehicles. Thick black smoke enveloped the sky, trapping the pilot and copilot inside the cockpit, while some passengers were confined to their vehicles.

Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah stated that rescue crews also had to free a person pinned under a vehicle. The incident caused significant disruption, temporarily halting flights at the bustling airport throughout the afternoon. Approximately 200 emergency responders were dispatched to the scene.