Deadly Explosion at Delta Air Lines Facility in Atlanta Leaves 2 Dead, 1 Injured

A tragic explosion at a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has resulted in the deaths of two people and left another person injured early Tuesday morning.

The explosion occurred at a Delta TechOps maintenance hangar on Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Boulevard, close to the airport’s international terminal, just after 5 a.m. Multiple Atlanta fire and police units responded to the scene.

Initial reports indicate that the explosion was caused by a tire on a plane. The blast claimed the lives of a Delta employee and a contractor, though their identities have not been released yet.

Delta Air Lines expressed deep sorrow in a statement, saying, "The Delta family is heartbroken at the loss of two team members and the injury of another following an incident this morning at the Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility (TOC 3). We are fully supporting the families and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time."

The incident did not impact flights, according to Andrew Gobeil, a spokesperson for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Delta is working closely with authorities to investigate the cause of the explosion. The Delta TechOps facility is responsible for the airline's maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations, operating out of large hangars near the airport.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his condolences on social media, offering his "deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones" of the workers who lost their lives. He also wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

The International Association of Machinists, a union aiming to organize Delta workers, has urged the airline and authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. The union expressed its "deepest condolences to the victims’ families following this tragic incident."