Twelve people are presumed dead after a midair collision involving an aircraft near Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri on Sunday afternoon, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The crash occurred when two aircraft collided in midair, sending debris across a wide area.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene to find wreckage scattered near the airport, located in Bates County. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims pending notification of next of kin.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the collision. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by falling debris.
The airport was temporarily closed to allow for recovery operations. This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Missouri in recent years.
The community is in shock as officials work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy.