Two killed, one injured in tire explosion at Atlanta airport
Two people were killed and a third was seriously injured in a tragic accident at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a tire exploded while being removed from a Delta Air Lines plane.
The explosion occurred early Tuesday morning in the airport’s maintenance area, resulting in the deaths of a Delta employee and a contractor, and leaving another airline worker critically injured, as reported by local news outlet WSB2.
Delta Air Lines mourns loss and pledges support
Delta Air Lines expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday. “The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility (TOC 3). We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read.
The airline also acknowledged the swift response of first responders and medical teams on site. “The Delta family is grateful for the quick action of first responders and medical teams on site. We are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to determine what happened.”
Ongoing investigation into the cause
The plane involved had traveled from Las Vegas to Atlanta on Sunday night. The exact cause of the tire explosion remains unclear, and an investigation is underway to determine what led to the fatal incident. Delta is cooperating with local authorities to find answers and prevent future occurrences.