A private plane crashed and exploded into a fireball near Palm Beach on Sunday afternoon, killing nine people on board.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X that the plane, a Learjet, had taken off from Austin and was en route to the Bahamas.
Duffy said the plane crashed “in a community near Crest Haven, Florida,” about 10 miles from Palm Beach.
“Please join me in praying for the families and loved ones of those we have lost,” he said.
The identities of those on board were not immediately known. Authorities also did not disclose the cause of the crash. On Sunday afternoon, widespread thunderstorms developed across South Florida. The National Weather Service said the area was on a flood watch due to “excessive rainfall.”
The crash occurred less than 10 miles from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The president left West Palm Beach on Air Force One around noon, heading to a rally in Iowa, according to a joint White House report.
This is a development story. Please check back for updates.