WASHINGTON

At least 12 people were killed after a cargo plane crashed Tuesday after takeoff from the international airport in Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said Wednesday.

"I’m deeply saddened to share that the death toll has risen to 12, with several individuals still unaccounted for," Greenberg said on the US social media company X’s platform.

Earlier, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said a child is among the deceased, “and a young child at that, which makes it all the harder.”

UPS flight 2976 crashed around 5.15 pm local time (2215GMT) after departing from Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Beshear told reporters that he declared a state of emergency.

"The new news today, following yesterday's events, is declaring a state of emergency to help us deal with this plane crash. It allows us to move resources more quickly through emergency management and the Kentucky National Guard," he said.

Additionally, Beshear said he has taken action to establish the Team Kentucky Emergency Relief Fund to help those affected by "this terrible event."

Officials said Tuesday that 11 people had been transported to hospitals following the incident.

Cockpit voice recorder, flight data recorder recovered

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation.

NTSB member Todd Inman told reporters that there were three people on board the plane. After being cleared for takeoff, a "large plume of fire" in the area of the left wing occurred during the takeoff roll.

He said the NTSB will analyze the facts, determine the probable cause of this accident, and then issue a report on those recommendations.

"We have identified the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder. This is what is commonly referred to as a ‘black box,’" Inman said.

When asked about the physical condition of the black box, Inman said he has only seen one picture.

"You could easily tell that it was a black box, two types of cylinders on top. Our specialists said they were able to easily identify that. We don't know until it gets to Washington, DC," he said.

"Luckily, they were not in a post-impact fire for multiple days or on the bottom of the ocean. So while the fire may have been intense, it is built to withstand that. Once we get them to DC, we can open them up," he added.

Airport is 'operational'; many delays expected

The airport reopened for air traffic early Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, but multiple taxiways remain closed.

Dan Mann, executive director at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, told reporters that the airport is "operational."

"We do have some delays. We had 21 flights canceled yesterday...As of today, we've had 16 flights canceled…We expect there'll probably be many delays and a few more cancellations until we get another runway open. But we are operational," Mann said.

Greenberg warned the public to avoid flying drones near the site of the plane crash.

"Please do not be that person that is getting in the way of our recovery efforts. Give our first responders, give the NTSB, give everyone the opportunity to deal with that site, and please don't use drones right now in that restricted airspace," Greenberg said at a news conference.