Business jet carrying nine people crashes in Florida, as US transportation secretary Sean Duffy confirms all occupants have died in the tragedy.
A private business jet carrying nine people has crashed into a residential neighbourhood near Cresthaven, Florida, killing everyone on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The aircraft, a Learjet 60, departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was bound for North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas before nose-diving and coming down at approximately 12:50 pm local time.
"Today's plane crash in Palm Beach County, Florida is a horrific tragedy," said US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, confirming the fatalities.
Writing on the X platform, Duffy added: "Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost".
The crash site is situated near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North, located a few miles (kilometres) from US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
Federal investigation
Video footage recorded by motorists inside their cars captured the moment the aircraft plunged steeply from the sky.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone on the ground suffered injuries.
Jim Reynolds, a spokesperson for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, confirmed the aircraft was privately operated, though passenger details were not immediately released.
"This is definitely a tragedy," Reynolds said.
"Aircraft Incident," Palm Beach County Fire Rescue announced on X, warning the public to "avoid the area. This will be an extended incident."
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office closed all northbound and southbound lanes along Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North until further notice to secure the area and allow emergency services to operate.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the independent federal agency tasked with probing civil transportation accidents across the United States, will lead the investigation alongside the FAA.
Authorities have not yet established what caused the aircraft to lose control and plunge.
TRT World & Agencies — TRT World & Agencies
Photo: AP
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