UPDATE 2 - At least 9 killed in UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM GOVERNOR, ADDS MORE DETAILS, REVISES DECK

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA)— At least nine people were killed after a cargo plane crashed on Tuesday after takeoff from the international airport in Louisville, Kentucky, said Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday.

"Kentucky, more heartbreaking news out of Louisville. The number of those lost has now risen to at least 9, with the possibility of more," Beshear said on US social media company X.

Later, Beshear told the reporters that he declared a state of emergency.

"The new news today, following yesterday's events, 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.

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

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

- Airport is 'operational'; many delays expected

Dan Mann, the CEO of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, told the 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.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.

NTSB Board Member Todd Inman will serve as the on-scene spokesperson, and later in the day, the agency will hold a media briefing.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg warned the public to avoid flying drones near the site of the aircraft 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.