Tragedy In Florida As Private Jet Crashes Near Homes, Killing Nine
At least nine people have been killed after a private aircraft crashed in a residential area of Palm Beach County, Florida, in the United States.
The fatal incident involved a Learjet 60, which went down around 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, close to Military Trail and 10th Avenue North.
According to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, all nine occupants of the aircraft died in the crash.
Reports indicate that the jet took off from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was travelling to the Bahamas before the incident occurred.
Dramatic footage of the crash showed the aircraft falling from the sky and exploding into a massive fireball near a busy road. The impact left a huge crater on the roadway and sent thick clouds of smoke into the surrounding area.
The aircraft came down near residential properties and passing vehicles. However, officials had not established whether the crash resulted in additional casualties among residents or motorists.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office subsequently cordoned off roads around the scene, urging members of the public to stay away.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it would send investigators to support the National Transportation Safety Board, which is responsible for determining the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Authorities had not released the identities of the victims as of Sunday evening.
