• At least 12 people confirmed dead following a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.
• The plane's left engine detached during takeoff, leading to a massive fire.
• Investigations are underway as recovery efforts continue amid the wreckage.
• The crash disrupted operations at UPS Worldport, affecting logistics nationwide.
• Authorities are searching for missing individuals believed to be nearby at the time of the crash.

On November 4, a UPS cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, killing at least 12 people and injuring nearly 20 others. This incident occurred when the aircraft's left engine detached, leading to an explosion and a widespread fire that engulfed the plane and impacted nearby structures, according to SCMP, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter, bound for Honolulu, took off at around 5:15 PM but quickly encountered catastrophic failure with a significant fire erupting in the left wing. Eyewitness accounts describe a terrifying scene as the plane struggled for altitude before crashing just outside the airport property, according to India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that they have recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which will be crucial in determining the cause of the crash. Initial assessments indicate the engine detaching during takeoff could have led to structural damage and the subsequent fire, as detailed in reports by NPR and ABC News.

As rescue efforts continue, authorities reported that many nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling facility and an auto parts warehouse, sustained severe damage. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed condolences and noted the helplessness felt amid the search for victims, stating, “We do not expect to find anyone else alive,” according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

The fatalities include members of the crew, with ongoing efforts to recover additional victims from the wreck site, which has been described as "charred, mangled debris." Nine individuals are currently unaccounted for and presumed to be nearby at the time of the crash, according to reports from NPR and Al Jazeera.