Two Delta Air Lines employees lost their lives, and a third was seriously injured on Tuesday at Delta’s TechOps maintenance facility at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
According to Delta spokesperson Samantha Facteau, the accident happened around 5 a.m. while employees were changing a plane tire in the airline’s wheel and brake shop. Unfortunately, the tire exploded, killing two employees instantly and sending another to the hospital with severe injuries. The extent of the surviving worker’s injuries is still unclear.
“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,” the airline said in a statement. “We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”
Authorities and Delta are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what led to the fatal accident. As of now, the identities of the victims have not been released.
