Tragedy struck in Florida, United States, on Saturday after a business jet crashed into a residential neighbourhood, killing all nine people on board.
The Learjet aircraft went down near Cresthaven at about 12:50 p.m. local time, plunging nose-first before erupting into a massive fireball close to homes and a major roadway.
United States Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, confirmed the fatalities and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
“Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we lost,” Duffy said.
According to flight details, the aircraft had departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was en route to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed.
Dramatic footage of the incident showed the jet diving vertically from the sky before exploding on impact near passing vehicles.
The crash left a large crater on the pavement and reportedly narrowly missed nearby houses.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone on the ground sustained injuries.
A woman working in the area said power supply had been cut for about two hours following the incident.
Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation as they work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down.
Further details about the identities of the victims and the extent of damage to properties were yet to be released as at press time.
