An Amazon cargo plane skidded off a runway at Miami International Airport, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least five individuals and caused multiple injuries as it collided with vehicles and caught fire, as per authorities.

The plane, arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, exceeded the runway limits around 2 p.m. ET. Miami-Dade County officials confirmed the death of five people, with three in critical condition and two others hospitalized with less severe injuries.

It remains unclear whether the fatalities occurred on the plane or in the vehicles struck by the aircraft, according to Miami officials. The impact of the crash led to the entrapment of the pilot, copilot, and some individuals in cars, as mentioned by Miami-Dade Rescue Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. Additionally, one person was found trapped beneath a vehicle.

The incident caused significant disruption at the airport, resulting in the suspension of flights for a considerable period. Emergency crews worked to contain a fuel leak from the plane hours after the accident.

Responding to the emergency, over 60 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units rushed to the scene where the aircraft, a Prime Air plane operated by 21 Air, was ablaze. The Boeing 767, originally designed for passengers and repurposed as a cargo carrier in 2015, was seen resting near two semi-trucks, mostly intact despite the fire.

FlightAware reported approximately 250 delayed flights at the airport on Sunday evening due to the incident. The National Transportation Safety Board announced the dispatch of a team to investigate the crash, led by Chair Jennifer Homendy. Amazon expressed willingness to cooperate with the investigation, extending condolences to the affected families and individuals.

Witnesses, like Jackson Lee, owner of an electronics shop nearby, observed the aftermath of the crash, noting the unusual proximity of the accident to their location, emphasizing the shock and disbelief at the tragic event.