Five people have been killed and five others injured after a cargo plane overran the runway while attempting to land at Miami International Airport in the United States.
According to verified reports, the Boeing 767 was arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it skidded off the runway on landing. The aircraft reportedly hit several vehicles before bursting into flames.
Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz confirmed the fatalities and said emergency responders were immediately deployed to the scene. She added that the five injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as thick smoke rose from the wreckage and fire crews battled to contain the blaze. Airport officials said parts of the runway and adjoining service roads were cordoned off following the incident.
Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, ordered a temporary ground stop at the airport to allow for rescue operations and preliminary assessment of the damage. Flight operations were later resumed on a limited basis.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the accident. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to examine the aircraft’s flight data, weather conditions, and runway conditions at the time of landing.
The incident has drawn reactions from aviation stakeholders, with calls for stricter cargo flight safety checks. Miami International Airport remains one of the busiest hubs in the US, handling both passenger and freight traffic to and from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims, saying next of kin are being notified. The airline operating the cargo flight also expressed condolences and pledged to cooperate fully with investigators to determine what went wrong during the approach and landing.
Aviation experts noted that runway overruns often result from a combination of factors including weather, brake failure, or pilot error. They stressed the need for enhanced safety protocols, especially for cargo operations that frequently fly at night or in adverse conditions, to prevent a repeat of such tragedies.
