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An Amazon cargo plane has crashed onto a motorway and into vehicles after overshooting the runway at Miami International Airport, leaving "multiple" people injured.
The Boeing 767-300, operated by Amazon’s Prime Air, was arriving at Miami-Dade International Airport from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when it overran the runway and struck several vehicles.
The crash sparked a complete shutdown of the airport, with all runways and taxiways closed and a ground stop imposed on flights.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the crash site as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said crews received reports at around 1.55pm local time of a “hazardous situation” involving an aircraft that had overrun a runway and struck multiple vehicles.
Firefighters said they arrived to find the aircraft on fire, with “heavy flames and smoke” coming from the wreckage.
"Multiple" patients are being treated at the scene, authorities said.
Footage shared on social media appeared to show large columns of black smoke rising from the aircraft.
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Footage shared on social media appeared to show large columns of black smoke rising from the aircraft | GETTYMiami International Airport confirmed the plane was an Amazon cargo jet.
The airport said Prime Air Flight 7598 overran its diagonal runway at approximately 2pm, and became disabled at the northwest end of the airport.
In a statement, the airport said: “All runways and taxiways at Miami International Airport are currently closed as of 3.00pm and a ground stop is in effect.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
An Amazon spokesman said: “We can confirm that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air experienced an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport today.
“This is a fast-moving situation and we’re still gathering details. We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened.
“Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved.
“We’re doing everything we can to support those affected.”