The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed the death of the six nationals who were aboard a small plane that crashed on Friday night in an urban area of Pennsylvania.
The tragic accident of a medical transport plane in Philadelphia claimed the lives of the six people on board, including a girl who had just received treatment at a local hospital, it lamented.
The plane, a 40-year-old Learjet 55, exploded in flames upon crashing just after takeoff from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, and it fell onto a busy intersection in the Roosevelt Mall commercial area.
As of Saturday morning, the death toll had reached seven, including the six individuals on board the plane and one person on the ground, a motorist who was in their vehicle at the time of the impact.
In addition, 19 people were injured, many of whom were treated at local hospitals, and at least three remain hospitalized.
Sheinbaum expressed her condolences and solidarity with the victims' families in a social media post: "The consular authorities are in constant contact with the families; I have asked the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to provide the necessary support. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends."
The plane, registered in Mexico, was heading to Tijuana after a stop in Missouri. On board were a young patient girl, her mother, and four crew members.
The plane had been chartered by the Shriners Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to transport the girl back to her country.
The identity of the girl and her family has not been revealed for privacy reasons, but the hospital spokesperson, Mel Bower, confirmed that the accident happened shortly after the patient's treatment.
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane struggling to maintain altitude before it crashed to the ground, causing an explosion. Emergency services worked through the night to clear the debris from the burned vehicles and the wreckage, trying to determine the cause of the accident.
Although the authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the incident, the investigation is still ongoing.
The accident site, located in a densely populated area, has been described as a large area of destruction.
Authorities are conducting thorough assessments of the damage and registering nearby homes to determine the full impact.
The mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker, expressed her condolences to those affected, stating that the city is doing everything possible to assist in recovery efforts. “This is a devastating tragedy for everyone involved. We will continue to work with the families and authorities to provide support during this very difficult time,” she said.
Jet Rescue, the Mexican company that operated the flight, expressed its shock and sorrow over the incident. The company, specialized in air ambulance services, confirmed that the crew was highly trained and experienced.
"All the airplanes are rigorously maintained; we spare no expense because we understand the critical nature of our mission," said Shai Gold, spokesperson for Jet Rescue.
This was the second fatal accident for the company in the last 15 months. In 2023, five crew members died when their aircraft skidded off the runway in the state of Morelos, Mexico, and crashed into a hill.
The Philadelphia accident occurs just two days after the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. in a generation.
On Wednesday night, an American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided mid-flight with a U.S. Army helicopter transporting three soldiers in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, there were no survivors from either aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Plane Crash in Pennsylvania
How many Mexicans died in the airplane accident in Philadelphia?
Six Mexicans died in the plane crash that occurred in Philadelphia. The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, confirmed that among the victims was a girl who had received medical treatment at a local hospital.
What is known about the causes of the Jet Rescue flight accident?
Until now, authorities have not determined the exact cause of the Jet Rescue plane accident in Philadelphia. Witnesses reported that the plane was struggling to maintain altitude before crashing, which caused an explosion. The investigation is still ongoing.
How many people were injured in the airplane accident in Philadelphia?
The plane crash in Philadelphia left 19 people injured, many of whom were treated at local hospitals. At least three of them remain hospitalized.
What measures has the Mexican government taken following the accident in Philadelphia?
The president Claudia Sheinbaum has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide support to the families of the victims. The consular authorities are in constant contact with the relatives to offer the necessary support.
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