Plane crash in Philadelphia. Fires and casualties reported
In Philadelphia, a small plane crashed into buildings in the northeastern part of the city, causing a fire in several homes and vehicles, reports CBS News. Six people were on board the aircraft, and there are reports of casualties.
The plane, a Learjet 55 belonging to air ambulance services, crashed at around 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue. It had taken off from the nearby Northeast Philadelphia Airport and was headed to Springfield, Missouri.
The first footage from the scene has appeared online, showing the plane descending rapidly and buildings and vehicles in flames.
Local media report that "there are many casualties." Many people on the ground are reported to be injured, but the exact number is still unknown. A large shopping centre is located nearby.
According to witness accounts quoted by Fox 29 Philadelphia, explosions were heard at the scene after the plane crashed. An employee of one of the local businesses recounts that he saw "a huge explosion of light that appeared suddenly."
Another plane crash in the USA
The aviation disaster in Philadelphia occurred while the world was still recovering from a tragedy that took place just two days earlier in Washington.
A passenger plane flying from Kansas collided with a military helicopter engaged in a training flight. The incident occurred just in front of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
On board the American Airlines flight were 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were in the helicopter. All perished. Among the victims was a Polish woman, Justyna Magdalena Beyer, along with her daughter Brielle.
