An early morning explosion at a Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) maintenance facility near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport claimed the lives of two workers and left another injured, according to multiple media reports.
The tragic incident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. on Tuesday when a tire on a plane exploded inside the maintenance hangar.
WSB-TV reported that the explosion resulted in the deaths of a Delta employee and a contract worker.
The injured individual was promptly attended to, though the extent of their injuries remains unclear.
Several units from the Atlanta Fire Department and police responded swiftly to the scene following the explosion.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported a significant presence of emergency personnel at the hangar as the situation unfolded.
In a statement, Delta Air Lines expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“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. We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” the airline said.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing, as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic event.