LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A UPS plane caught fire and crashed as it took off Tuesday evening from Louisville's airport, with nine people confirmed dead as of Wednesday morning.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg updated the death toll from seven to nine on his X account Wednesday morning. 

A news release from UofL Health Wednesday said it treated 15 patients across several hospitals and medical centers in its network. Of those, 13 were discharged. Two others remain hospitalized in critical condition. 

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said UPS Flight 2976 from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International airport to Honolulu had a "catastrophic crash" around 5:15 p.m. Two businesses just south of the airport, Kentucky Petroleum Recycling and Grade A Auto Parts, were impacted by the plane and its debris. 

"It may be some time until we can account for everyone," Beshear said, adding he expects the death toll to rise. 

At least seven people have died in the incident.

Video, which you can watch above, shows the plane attempting to take off southbound from the airport with a fire burning off the left wing. Shortly thereafter, it crashed, causing a massive ball of fire and plume of smoke that was seen across the city.

Beshear said the plane was carrying 38,000 gallons of fuel, and the impact to several of the businesses in the path could create an environmental issue.

"If there is a shelter-in-place, please follow it," he said.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, that shelter-in-place remains in place for everything within 1/4 mile radius of the airport. Following the crash on Tuesday, the radius extended between Outer Loop and the Ohio River, covering a large portion of the city. A separate shelter-in-place was active for several hours in Jeffersonville, Indiana, from 10th Street to the Ohio River and east along the river to the Port of Indiana. It was lifted just after 10:30 p.m.

Jefferson County Public Schools canceled school for Wednesday "due to the necessary shelter-in-place order." All extracurricular activities and athletics are also canceled.

Fire Chief Brian O'Neill said every building in the area is being searched by emergency responders, looking for survivors trapped in the rubble.

"This will be an ongoing active scene for the next several days," LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said. "We don't know how long it's going to take to render that scene safe.

Officials asked people not to touch debris from the crash. To report it to the city, click here.

By 10:30 p.m., O'Neill said the fire was largely contained, and firefighters were creating a grid to do a formal search of the area for victims.

Some families in Louisville are still waiting to know if their loved ones survived.

'Terribly saddened'

Louisville is home to UPS' largest package handling facility, a hub that employs thousands of workers, has 300 daily flights and sorts more than 400,000 packages an hour. A UPS spokesperson said operations at Worldport were halted Tuesday night, and Next Day Air sort is canceled. Employees should not report to work Tuesday night.

"We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville," spokesperson Jim Mayer said in a written statement. "Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. This is particularly true in Louisville, home to our airline and thousands of UPSers."

The Federal Aviation Administration said the National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation and provide all updates, and UPS said it's already working with both agencies on the ground.

"We are engaged with the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the accident and are staying in close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration." Mayer said. "We will work tirelessly with state and local authorities on response efforts."

Louisville Metro Police said its training academy at 2911 Taylor Blvd. will be used for "victim reunification." Chaplains, the police Victim Services Unit and the American Red Cross will be there.

Airport officials said all departing flights Tuesday night were canceled, and anyone with flights Wednesday should contact their airlines for updated status.

IMAGES | UPS plane explosion sparks massive plume of smoke across Louisville area

TARC said just after 7 p.m. Monday that all TARC services would be suspended for the rest of the evening. TARC3, a spokesperson said, is working with current passengers with destinations outside the shelter-in-place, all evening pickups for TARC3 have also been suspended. Just after 9:30 p.m., a spokesperson said TARC will resume service Wednesday, but noted that partial delays and detours may be in place for some routes if they are in areas under active shelter-in-place orders.

In a statement on social media, SDF said "all arriving and departing flights at SDF are temporarily suspended and the airfield is closed. Passengers should closely monitor their flight status via their airline's website or mobile app."

In a news release around 6:30 p.m., airport officials said screening at the TSA security checkpoint is temporarily suspended. 

The plane crash is impacting some traffic in Louisville, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. 

The agency said the Interstate 65 North and South on- and off-ramps to and from Fern Valley Road are closed by law enforcement. The Outer Loop is closed from Grade Lane to the Outer Loop/I-65 interchange. There are no impacts to the mainline I-65 or Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway). 

In a social media post, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said the Big Four Bridge would be lit yellow in honor of the UPS flight.

"This tragedy has touched every corner of our city. As Louisville’s skyline glows in yellow, we’re thinking of the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the entire community that calls Louisville home," Greenberg said.

Officials and authorities released the following statements after the crash:

Congressman Morgan McGarvey

"Congressman Morgan McGarvey issued the following statement after horrific reports that a UPS flight crashed during takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Tuesday evening. Tonight, our community was rocked by a devastating plane crash at the Louisville airport.

My heart breaks for the pilots, crew, and their families, and I'm praying for everyone impacted. I'm grateful for the bravery of our first responders as they continue their work throughout the night tonight to respond quickly and heroically to this horrific incident.

We still do not have complete details on how this tragedy occurred, but I've spoken with the Chair of National Transportation Safety Board and will continue to stay in contact with state, local, and federal authorities to get answers and do what we can to help all those affected.”

Mayor Craig Greenberg

"Please join Rachel and me in praying for the crew of UPS flight 2976. This is an incredible tragedy that our community will never forget. We are so thankful for our brave first responders who have flooded the scene to help try and control the fire and provide support for any victims on the ground."

Sen. Mitch McConnell

"My team and I are closely monitoring developments around the Louisville airport and are in touch with local, state, and federal authorities. Thank you to the first responders on the scene. I encourage everyone in the area to follow emergency and law enforcement guidance."

NTSB will begin investigating the crash on Wednesday.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul 

"My team and I are closely monitoring the plane crash near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. We continue to pray for the safety of the aircrew, everyone in the area, and for the first-responders on the scene." 

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie 

"Please pray for the crew, those on the ground, and the first responders involved in the UPS plane crash in Louisville."

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman 

"Kentucky, let's keep UPS and the community in our thoughts tonight. If you are in the area, please be mindful of the shelter-in-place."

UPS Teamsters

"Amid breaking news tonight of a UPS plane crash at the Worldport facility in Louisville, the Teamsters Union is monitoring this developing tragic event on the ground. As this horrific scene is being investigated, prayers on behalf of our entire International Union are with those killed, injured, and affected, including their families, co-workers, and loved ones. The Teamsters will provide additional details as they become available."

Stooges Bar and Grill

"We were able to evacuate in time, and everyone made it out safely. Please offer prayers for Stooges to not get hit. Prayers for the pilots and their families, and all the first responders."

LG& and KU 

"Our hearts go out to those impacted by the tragic UPS plane crash that occurred tonight near the Muhammad Ali International Airport. Safety remains our top priority — for our customers, our employees and our community.

"Our electric & natural gas crews & employees from across the company are responding to the situation, working closely w/ emergency responders & emergency management officials to ensure our systems are protected & those in the area remain safe while performing their critical work.

"LG&E also has representatives embedded in the Louisville Emergency Operations Center to coordinate efforts in real time. For safety, we have proactively de-energized power lines into a nearby substation, which has interrupted service to approximately 290 customers.

"We’ve also isolated a portion of our natural gas system that has affected more than 90 customers. These numbers could change based on the needs of emergency responders as they continue their work.

"Once we receive clearance to safely access the area, our crews will begin assessing any damage and working to restore service safely and as quickly as possible.

"To aid emergency response efforts, LG&E has provided fire-suppression foam from our Trimble County Generating Station to assist first responders on the scene. Visit http://lge-ku.com/LouisvilleResponse for more information and additional updates.

"This is a tragic situation, and our thoughts are with all those impacted. All LG&E employees have been accounted for, and we will continue to support emergency responders however we can."

U.S. Department of Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy 

"Heartbreaking images coming out of Kentucky tonight. ... Please join me in prayer for the Louisville community and flight crew impacted by this horrific crash." 

Pilots for HIMS Reform, an FAA program 

"In memory of the three crew members of UPS Flight 2976, whose lives were lost near Louisville, Kentucky on November 4, 2025.

"We stand with the UPS family, their fellow crewmembers, and everyone in the aviation community who is grieving today. Behind every flight number are people who dedicate their lives to moving the world safely—this loss is felt by all of us.

"May their professionalism, courage, and commitment to our shared craft never be forgotten.

"Blue skies and tailwinds to the crew of UPS 2976."

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson 

"The UPS plane crash in Louisville is horrific, and we pray for the aircrew, their families, bystanders on the ground, and all involved in this tragic situation.

"We are grateful to the first responders who are on scene ensuring the safety of everyone in the area." 

Boeing 

"We are following the news out of Louisville regarding UPS Flight 2976. Our concern is for the safety and well-being of all those affected. We stand ready to support our customer(s) and have offered technical assistance to the NTSB." 

WDRB has crews spread out across the area. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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