Nine people aboard a private jet were killed when it crashed and exploded in a fireball near Palm Beach County, Florida, on Sunday afternoon, destroying at least one trailer and triggering a massive fireball.
The plane had departed from Austin and was on its way to the Bahamas, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X.
Duffy said the plane crashed in “a neighborhood near Cresthaven, FL,” which is about 10 miles from Palm Beach.
“Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost,” he said.
The identities of those on board were not immediately available.
The aircraft, believed to be a Learjet 60, reportedly struck a tree and brought down power lines before crashing shortly after 1.00p.m local time.
The impact triggered a huge blaze, with flames and debris spreading across the crash site.
The crash was reportedly so loud that witnesses described the sound as resembling a missile strike.
Shocking footage from the scene shows a massive fireball, a large crater and the burning wreckage of the aircraft alongside the remains of a mobile home.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue described the incident as a “mass casualty incident”, indicating a major emergency involving multiple potential casualties.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene to tackle the blaze and attend to victims.
The cause of the crash has not been established.
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