Philadelphia [US], February 2: At least seven people were killed, and 19 others were injured after a medical transport plane, carrying a child, her mother, and four others, crashed near a busy mall in Philadelphia on Friday night, as reported by ABC News, citing city officials.
According to Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, everyone aboard the flight was killed in the crash, along with one person on the ground. “The Learjet 55 crashed near Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia around 6:30 pm after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport,” officials confirmed.
“Many people on the ground — in parking lots, on streets, in cars and homes in the area — were injured,” Parker’s office stated. “A number of people were transported to Temple University Hospital, Jeans Campus in the Northeast.”
Parker urged residents to avoid the area and expressed the need for prayers, saying, “Right now, we’re just asking for prayers.”
The plane had been carrying the child and her mother back to Mexico after the child received treatment at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The flight, operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, was en route to Missouri and had only been airborne for a short period when the crash occurred.
The company confirmed that there were four crew members aboard but could not immediately confirm any survivors. “No names are being released at this time until family members have been notified. Our immediate concern is for the patient’s family, our personnel, their families, and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground.”
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, President of Mexico, expressed her condolences for the tragic loss, stating, “I regret the death of six Mexicans in the plane crash in Philadelphia, United States. The consular authorities are in permanent contact with the families; I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support them in whatever way is required. My solidarity with their loved ones and friends.”