Child among 7 killed in Philadelphia jet crash

KABUL (Pajhwok): A small medical plane crashed into several buildings in Philadelphia, killing all six people on board and a seventh on the ground, the BBC reported on Sunday.

The jet was on a medical transport trip, heading to Tijuana, Mexico, with a short stop-over in Missouri, the broadcaster said.

It was carrying a child patient and her mother, along with two pilots, a doctor and a paramedic. They were all Mexican nationals.

At least 19 others were injured, though Mayor Cherelle Parker said that the number could still change.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Philadelphia Managing Director Adam Thiel said it would probably be “days or more” until officials were able to confirm “the number of folks who perished in this tragedy and the outcome of those who were injured”.

He added that there was still “a lot of unknowns about who was where” when the crash happened.

The girl being transported to Mexico had just finished medical treatment for a life-threatening illness at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

On Friday, staff had thrown her a party to celebrate, hospital spokesman Mel Bower said. He added that staff who treated her had been “impacted very deeply” by news of the tragedy.

sa/mud