Nine killed as private jet crashes into Florida residential area
Federal investigators launch probe as emergency crews secure crash site near Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
A private business jet carrying nine people crashed into a residential neighborhood near Cresthaven, Florida, on Sunday, killing everyone on board, according to US authorities.
The Learjet 60 departed Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas and was heading to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas when it crashed at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time (1850 GMT), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the fatalities, describing the incident as a tragedy in Palm Beach County.
The crash site is located just a few kilometres from US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue urged residents to avoid the area, warning that emergency operations would continue for an extended period.
The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office closed both northbound and southbound lanes of Military Trail between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue North to secure the scene and allow emergency personnel to carry out their work.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation in coordination with the FAA.
Authorities have not yet determined what caused the aircraft to crash. Investigators are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the flight and the aircraft's final moments.
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