Tragic aviation week: Philadelphia crash follows deadly DC collision

World news: A small aircraft crashed into a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia on Friday, igniting a massive fire and causing multiple casualties, according to local media reports cited by AFP. The plane, which had at least two people on board, went down near a shopping mall, affecting several individuals on the ground, as per Reuters. The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management confirmed on social media that a "major incident" had occurred in the area but did not disclose further details.

Emergency response and warnings issued

Authorities swiftly responded to the disaster, closing off roads near Cottman and Bustleton Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia, across from Roosevelt Mall. The city's emergency management office took to X, warning residents, "Major incident near Cottman and Bustleton Avenues in Northeast Philadelphia across from Roosevelt Mall. Roads closed in the area including parts of Roosevelt Boulevard. Avoid the area."

Widespread devastation and firefighting efforts

Social media footage revealed that the aircraft had crashed into a row of houses, leading to an inferno. Several firefighters and emergency response teams rushed to the scene to battle the blaze and assist potential survivors. The crash site is approximately 4.8 kilometers from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which mainly serves business jets and chartered flights.

A series of aviation tragedies

This incident follows a devastating air accident just days earlier, where a passenger jet collided with an Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC. The deadly crash claimed the lives of all 64 passengers aboard the jet and three crew members in the helicopter, marking the worst aviation disaster in the United States in more than two decades.