Death toll increases, plus overnight updates from Louisville UPS plane crash
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Death toll from Louisville UPS crash rises to nine as officials recover victims
- Shelter-in-place zone cut to quarter-mile; officials continue air quality monitoring
- NTSB deploys 28-member team to Louisville to investigate crash and host briefings
The death toll from the UPS plane crash in Louisville increased to nine Wednesday morning, said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
The death toll was seven on Tuesday night, but Greenberg and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said they expected that number to increase. Beshear said the number could possibly climb even higher as the search continues Wednesday.
There were still 16 families that reported missing loved ones before the death toll climbed from seven to nine, Beshear said.
“Continue to keep these victims and their families in your prayers,” Greenberg said Wednesday morning. “The families that are still looking for information about their loved ones, we’re working to get them that information as quickly as possible.”
The death toll was one of several overnight and early Wednesday updates. Here’s what to know.
UofL Health still treating two patients after plane crash
UofL Health received 15 injured patients after Tuesday’s UPS plane crash, and two are still being treated at a hospital, said Heather Fountaine, Manager of Media Relations with UofL Health.
The other 13 patients have been released from a hospital. Fountaine said the two hospitalized patients are in critical condition in the ICU at UofL Hospital.
UPS cancels package sorting operations at Louisville facility Wednesday
UPS has canceled package sorting operations at its Worldport facility on Wednesday, the shipping company announced. Hub and Ramp employees are encouraged to not report for work.
Worldport is a 5.2-million-square-foot shipping facility that’s billed as the world’s biggest automated packaging facility. More than 20,000 people are employed at the hub, which sees more than 360 in and outbound flights daily.
We are terribly saddened by the accident tonight in Louisville,” UPS said in a statement. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with everyone involved. UPS is committed to the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities we serve.”
Shelter-in-place area
The shelter-in-place area has been reduced to within a quarter-mile from the crash site. Greenberg said officials monitored the air quality overnight and will continue to do so indefinitely.
Airport reopens
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport reopened Wednesday after halting several departing and arriving flights after the crash. The airport said runway 11/29 is open, and the airport is available for aircraft operations.
Multiple taxiways still remain closed, said the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Anyone scheduled to depart or arrive at SDF today is encouraged to closely monitor their flight status as delays and cancellations are likely following yesterday’s incident,” the airport said in a post on X.
Greenberg thanks Lexington Mayor for assistance
Several agencies outside of Louisville responded to the crash site to assist officials, including members of the Lexington Fire Department. Greenberg thanked Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton for sending additional help to Louisville.
“I also want to send a giant thanks, once again, to all the first responders, all the firefighters and other first responders around the Louisville area, and around the entire region and state,” Greenberg said. “Thank Mayor Gorton for sending in some equipment and individuals from Lexington to support as well. This is just one of those opportunities to once again, thank our first responders, who are performing heroic work every day, but when you see it in such a tragic, large form, it’s important to give public thanks as well.”
The Lexington Fire Department said it sent seven total firefighters and three apparatus, including a foam trailer, to Louisville to assist. Gorton said she is keeping those impacted by the plane crash in her thoughts.
What happened?
At around 5:20 p.m., UPS Flight 2976, with three crew members on board, was departing Louisville bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, when “an accident” occurred, according to UPS.
Beshear said the crash impacted two businesses in the area: Kentucky Petroleum Recycling Plant and Grade A Auto Parts.
It’s not immediately known what caused the plane to crash or where the deaths occurred.
“We do not at the moment have the status of the crew,” Beshear said Tuesday night. “From the videos that I’ve seen, I’m very concerned for them.”
The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent national agency that investigates transportation crashes, will investigate the crash. A team of 28 people is expected to arrive in Louisville on Wednesday, and officials plan to host a news conference sometime Wednesday.
There were more than 200 first responders that responded to the crash site Tuesday. Greenberg said it’s going to take “a while” to search the “very large area.”
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 8:57 AM.
