US military plane crash in Georgia kills 9

By Safvan Allahverdi and Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

A U.S. Air National Guard cargo plane crashed in the state of Georgia Wednesday, killing all nine people on board, officials said.

"Nine crew members died in the accident, but until their families and relatives are notified, we cannot give their names," said Brig. Gen. Isabelo Rivera, according to media reports.

"Our prayers, thoughts and condolences to the families and loved ones of our aviators."

The plane crashed on a busy highway about a mile from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport but did not hit any cars, a spokesperson for the Effingham County Sherriff’s Office announced.

Black smoke rose from the crash site. Firefighters later put out the blaze.

The plane was identified as a C-130 from the 156th Airlift Wing based in Carolina, Puerto Rico. It was being used for a training mission when it crashed, the National Guard said.

Capt. Jeff Bezore, a spokesman for the Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Air Wing, had said the crash killed at least five people soon after the accident, adding the identities of those on the plane would be released upon notification to their next of kin.

But later on, the number of casualties increased.

President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the crash.

“Please join me in thoughts and prayers for the victims, their families and the great men and women of the National Guard,” he said on Twitter.

The cause of the crash is still not known.