A UPS cargo jet crashed in Kentucky on Tuesday evening, resulting in a devastating fireball and the loss of 12 lives. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. Investigators have revealed that the aircraft's left engine detached from the wing during the takeoff roll, leading to the catastrophic event.

Security footage from the airport captured the moment the 34-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-11 lost its engine. Todd Inman, an official from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated, "We have viewed airport CCTV security coverage, which shows the left engine detaching from the wing during the takeoff roll. After being cleared for takeoff, a large plume of fire in the area of the left wing occurred during the takeoff roll."

The jet, which was en route to Honolulu, managed to gain altitude briefly before crashing into nearby industrial buildings, including Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Autoparts. The explosion created a fireball that lit up the night sky and ignited a half-mile-long blaze through the industrial corridor.

Inman described the aftermath, noting, "There are a lot of different parts of this airplane in a lot of different places," referring to the extensive debris field that spanned approximately half a mile. He acknowledged the grim reality of the situation, stating that finding survivors seems unlikely despite ongoing search efforts in the charred area.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed the rising death toll, which includes three UPS crew members, several workers on the ground, and a child. He expressed his sorrow on social media, writing, "I’m deeply saddened to share that the death toll has risen to 12, with several individuals still unaccounted for." Additionally, 11 people sustained injuries in the incident.

In response to the tragedy, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Wednesday morning to expedite resources to the crash site. The investigation into the cause of the engine failure and subsequent crash is ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to this tragic accident.