Death toll rises to nine in UPS plane crash in Louisville, Ky.

Update, 10:15 a.m.:

Authorities engaged in recovery efforts at the site of a Tuesday afternoon UPS plane crash in Louisville, Ky., said the number of dead had risen to at least nine, with at least 11 injured. Gov. Andy Beshear said in a social media post that the number of casualties may continue to rise. He noted that more than a dozen different families had reported unaccounted-for loved ones as of Wednesday morning. More than 200 emergency workers responded to the accident on Tuesday night, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. 

Update: 10:39 p.m.:

Louisville officials at a news conference Tuesday night said four people were confirmed dead in the crash of a UPS plane shortly after takeoff earlier in the day. Those confirmed dead did not include the three crew members aboard the aircraft, according to Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. Greenberg added that officials expected the death toll to rise to seven.

As of Tuesday night, the fire was almost entire contained, according to Louisville Fire Department Chief Brian O'Neill. Over 100 firefighters from across the region remained on the scene,  and crews were now doing a formal search for anyone who may be dead or injured.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport remained closed Tuesday night, but was expected to reopen Wednesday morning, Greenberg said. Jefferson County Public Schools, the state's largest school district, would be closed on Wednesday, he added.

The Big Four Bridge, which spans the Ohio River from Kentucky to Indiana, would be lit yellow in honor of the victims, according to the mayor. 

Update, 9:00 p.m.:

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Tuesday evening that at least three people died and at least 11 were injured in a fiery UPS cargo plane crash at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport earlier in the day. The governor added that he expected the casualty figures to rise. The airport has temporarily shut down as first responders work the scene. Video reportedly showed flames on plane’s left wing shortly after it took off and crashed.

Original report:

A UPS plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday evening, according to a statement from the FAA. UPS Flight 2796 crashed shortly after 5 p.m. local time after departing the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, the statement said. The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, a wide-body jet airliner, and it was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, according to the FAA. 

Have there been any casualties? There are casualties, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department, but the number of and extent of casualties is not known. However, the crash spread flames and smoke across a wide, populated area. The smoke plume created by the crash was visible for miles around. A shelter-in-place order was put into effect for anyone within a 5-mile radius of the crash. That shelter-in-place order was later extended to include all areas north of the airport. 

What do we know about the airplane model? The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 has been in service in the United States since 1991. The 300-ton trijet model retired from passenger service in 2014 but has continued in use as a cargo jet. Parcel companies rely on the aircraft for its long range and ability to haul more than 50 tons on a flight.

Has UPS said anything? UPS issued a statement acknowledging the crash. There were three crew members on board, according to UPS. There is no word on the fate of those crew members at this time, according to UPS.

Has the Trump administration responded? Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a statement Tuesday evening calling the crash heartbreaking and calling for prayer for the Louisville community and the flight crew.