LOUISVILLE, KY — The death toll from Tuesday’s devastating UPS cargo plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport has climbed to seven, with officials warning that the number could rise further as search and recovery operations continue.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operating as UPS Flight 2976, crashed shortly after takeoff at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time on Tuesday, November 4, erupting into a massive fireball that engulfed several nearby buildings in flames.

The aircraft was bound for Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed at least seven fatalities and eleven injuries as of late Tuesday, adding that “the number is going to get larger” due to the scale of destruction at the crash site.

Emergency responders are still conducting search operations in a heavily damaged industrial zone adjacent to the airport.

Newly released dashcam footage shows the chilling moment of impact, capturing a truck driver’s reaction as the plane descended with flames trailing from its left wing before exploding upon contact with the ground.

Aerial images depict large plumes of black smoke billowing over the Grade Lane and Fern Valley Road area, where multiple structures sustained severe damage or total collapse.

Witnesses reported a series of secondary explosions, believed to have been triggered by aviation fuel igniting upon impact.

The crash struck a petroleum recycling facility and severely damaged an adjacent auto parts business, where two employees remain unaccounted for.

First responders issued a third-alarm response, calling in multiple fire, hazmat, and rescue units from across Jefferson County.

Crews are working to extinguish lingering fires, secure unstable structures, and conduct thorough searches for trapped victims.

A shelter-in-place order remains in effect for all residents within a five-mile radius of the airport due to heavy smoke and potential air quality hazards.

Power in the immediate area has been cut off, and officials have warned the public to stay away from the crash zone until it is deemed safe.

A spokesperson for UPS confirmed that three crew members were aboard Flight 2976 and said the company is “deeply saddened by the tragic event.” The statement added:

“At this time, we are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the incident and to contact the families of those affected. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation and provide official updates as they become available.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also confirmed its participation in the investigation, working alongside the NTSB to analyze flight data, maintenance records, and communication logs.

Among those anxiously awaiting updates is a woman who identified herself as the wife of a UPS pilot, who told a local news anchor that her husband was scheduled to depart Louisville around the same time as the crash.

She stated she has not received any communication from him since the incident, fearing the worst as authorities work to identify the victims.

Louisville serves as the home of UPS Worldport, the company’s largest global air logistics hub.

The 5.2 million-square-foot facility handles more than 300 daily flights, sorts over 400,000 packages per hour, and employs over 20,000 people in the region.

The crash has deeply affected the city, where UPS is the largest employer.

Governor Beshear issued a public statement late Tuesday night:

“Kentucky, we are aware of the reported plane crash near Louisville International Airport. First responders are on-site, and we will share more information as available. Please pray for the pilots, crew, and everyone affected by this tragic event.”

As the investigation continues, officials have vowed transparency in uncovering the cause of the crash.

Recovery crews remain on-site through the night as Louisville mourns one of the most devastating aviation disasters in its history.