Small Plane Crashes Near Roosevelt Mall in Philadelphia, Multiple Casualties Reported

A small plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday, Jan. 31, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a news release.

The Learjet 55 departed the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights. The plane took off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. Once it reached an altitude of 1,600 feet 30 seconds later, it disappeared from radar, per the Associated Press.

The jet was carrying six passengers en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri, per the FAA. The aircraft is owned by Jet Rescue, which provides global air ambulance services, per the Associated Press.

Jet Rescue said in a statement to PEOPLE that there were four crew members and two passengers — a pediatric patient and an escort — on board. "We cannot confirm any survivors," the company said. "Our immediate concern is for the patient's family, our personnel, their families and other victims that may have been hurt on the ground."

The child was a Shriners Children's patient accompanied by her mother, and they were returning to their home country, Mexico, the hospital confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the medical crew and pilots who were also lost in this tragic event - as well as all of the people who were affected on the ground - and we’re thankful to the first responders for their quick action," the statement read.

ABC News reports the crash happened near the intersection of Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue near the Roosevelt Mall shopping center. At least three nearby homes were set ablaze near the intersection of St. Vincent and Calvert streets, according to officials, per the news outlet.

In the radio call, an air traffic controller attempted to contact the plane and said “Medevac med service, northeast tower. Medevac med service, northeast tower. Are you on frequency?” per CNN.

Just over a minute later, the controller said, “We have a lost aircraft. We are not exactly sure what happened, so we are trying to figure it out for now. So, for now the field is going to be closed. So, no inbounds or outbounds.”

The FAA has issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to "an aircraft incident."

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A photo from the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management showed first responders on the scene near the Roosevelt Mall with smoke rising in the background. The agency alerted nearby residents that the streets near the mall were closed.

During an evening press conference with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said there are currently no reports on the number of fatalities. She added that several dwellings and vehicles were also impacted and urged those in the area to stay home and not touch any debris while responders and investigators are at the scene.

Parker said multiple agencies are at the site, including Philadelphia fire and police departments, Pennsylvania State Police, the NTSB and FAA.

"[There's a] unified response to awful aviation disaster," Shapiro said during the conference. "We know there will be loss in this region. We want to offer our thoughts and serious prayers to those who are grieving."

The incident comes two days after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight in Washington D.C., killing 67 people.

This story is developing...

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