All nine individuals on board a private jet were killed when the aircraft crashed into a residential area in Florida on Saturday afternoon. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities on social media, describing the event as a horrific tragedy. The crash occurred at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time near Cresthaven and Greenacres in Palm Beach County.
The aircraft, identified as a Learjet 60, had departed from Austin, Texas, with a destination of the Bahamas. According to U.S. media reports, the pilots reported encountering turbulence and icing while flying at an altitude of roughly 11,000 meters shortly before the plane entered a steep dive. The impact was captured by numerous surveillance cameras in the area.
The crash site is located immediately adjacent to a busy road and very close to residential homes. The force of the impact created a massive crater in the asphalt. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the scene resembled a rocket strike, leaving a large hole in the street. At the time of the accident, the region was experiencing extremely poor weather conditions.
Secretary Duffy did not initially specify whether anyone on the ground was injured or killed by the debris. Authorities have announced that an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The incident took place on the U.S. East Coast, not far from President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago private residence, as the nation approaches parliamentary elections scheduled for Tuesday.
Sources: Der Spiegel.