From NBC News: Nine people remain missing as authorities sift through the massive wreckage field from the UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, that killed at least 12 people this week, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said on Thursday.
Greenberg said at a press conference that the number of people unaccounted for went down from 15 on Wednesday to 9. Kentucky officials said on Wednesday that the three crew members on board were among the dead, and that a young child was thought to have been killed in the explosion.
The mayor cautioned that more bodies may be recovered in coming days as authorities sift through the massive debris field left behind from the horrific crash.
“There’s so much charred, mangled metal, that not all the bodies may have been located until you look underneath certain things,” he said. “And so that is going through the various layers of debris on the field that will begin now, everything to date has been just looking at what can be seen without moving debris.”
The crash left a one-half mile trail of debris, after an engine reportedly fell off while the plane was taking off, causing the plane to crash in a massive inferno. The plane was loaded with fuel as it was trying to depart on a flight to Honolulu, Hawaii.
At a press briefing Thursday morning, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said there are now 9 people still missing after the crash. He voiced hope that the missing are not among the debris, but acknowledged that is a very real possibility, which could lead to the death toll rising even higher.
Greenberg said officials are still working to identify the bodies they have already found.
Sharing photos of some of the ruins left behind, Greenberg announced Wednesday, “Today, Governor Beshear, Representative McGarvey, and I visited the scene of the UPS tragedy. What we saw was devastating. We will continue working closely at the state and federal levels to get Louisvillians the answers they deserve. Please hold your loved ones a little closer tonight.”
Today, Governor Beshear, Representative McGarvey, and I visited the scene of the UPS tragedy. What we saw was devastating.
We will continue working closely at the state and federal levels to get Louisvillians the answers they deserve.
Please hold your loved ones a little closer… pic.twitter.com/opzmGnxgis
— Mayor Craig Greenberg (@LouisvilleMayor) November 6, 2025
The FBI announced Thursday morning, “The FBI continues to assist the NTSB in its investigation of the plane crash in Louisville, KY. Evidence Response Teams from several field offices in the region and FBI Headquarters personnel, including the Lab Division, are diligently working to recover and process debris from the scene. FBI Louisville special agent bomb technicians are also on scene working to ensure the scene is safe. Teams of FBI Louisville special agents are aiding in the recovery of debris from local residences and businesses. Additionally, dozens of other FBI Louisville personnel are working behind the scenes to provide support at the airport and at the local field office.”
The FBI continues to assist the NTSB in its investigation of the plane crash in Louisville, KY. Evidence Response Teams from several field offices in the region and FBI Headquarters personnel, including the Lab Division, are diligently working to recover and process debris from… pic.twitter.com/cB7Ww38JiS
— FBI Louisville (@FBILouisville) November 6, 2025
READ MORE from NBC News.
WATCH: Dramatic videos show ‘catastrophic’ UPS plane disaster that left multiple fatalities
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