Seven people were killed—including one on the ground—when a medical transport jet crashed into a Philadelphia neighborhood Friday night, officials said in a Saturday morning update, warning that the death toll could rise as investigators and responders work through the devastation.
The plane—a Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance—was carrying a child patient, her mother, and four others when it plunged to the ground shortly after takeoff and exploded in a fiery ball.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker confirmed in a Feb. 1 statement that all six people on board the plane died and one more perished on the ground.
“At least 19 treated at multiple area hospitals. Investigation active and ongoing,” she said. “Much more work remains to be done. Please stay home and safe.”
Adam Thiel, the city’s managing director, said it could be days before authorities are able to give a full account of the dead and injured, saying that it’s “entirely possible” the death toll could rise.
All six people aboard were from Mexico. The child patient on board had been treated in Philadelphia for a life-threatening condition and was being transported home, according to Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold. After a stop in Missouri, the flight’s final destination was to be Tijuana.
“In the face of this tragedy, Philadelphia is responding in the Philly way—law enforcement protecting our communities, neighbors helping neighbors, Pennsylvanians working together,” he wrote. “Please continue listening to local authorities, be patient, and hug the ones you love.”
“Traffic closures remain in place due to aircraft crash response and investigation,” the Philadelphia OEM said in a statement. “Outer lanes of the Roosevelt Boulevard closed approaching Cottman Avenue. Cottman Avenue closed between Bustleton and Brous Avenues. Expect closures to be extended. Please avoid the area.”
Red Cross Philadelphia said that volunteers had opened a shelter at Samual Fels High School, where four people spent Friday night. The organization expressed gratitude for an outpouring of community support but advised against people bringing donations like food or clothing to the shelter.
Shortly after taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet, the plane quickly disappeared from radar, according to the flight tracking website Flight Aware.
The plane crashed in a busy intersection near Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center in the densely populated neighborhood of Rhawnhurst. The crash happened less than 3 miles from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights.
At a news conference late Friday, Shapiro described the incident as an “awful aviation disaster” and said that multiple fatalities were expected.
Videos circulating on social media capture the plane plummeting before erupting into a massive explosion. Footage also shows black smoke rising from a burning wreckage on a city street, with scattered debris and bystanders in shock. Another clip shows police securing the area as firefighters battle multiple fires.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on social media that the plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.
Duffy added that both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would investigate.
The Epoch Times has reached out to the NTSB and the FAA with requests for additional information.
The crash occurred just days after an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair near Reagan National Airport, resulting in 67 fatalities.
