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UPS and FedEx ground some cargo planes after Kentucky air disaster
American delivery firms UPS and FedEx have temporarily grounded part of their fleets of cargo planes after a mid-take-off crash in Kentucky on Tuesday left at least 14 people dead.
The UPS aircraft burst into flames shortly after take-off when it collided with neighbouring business premises, triggering a huge fire which gutted several buildings and closed Louisville International Airport.
UPS said the decision to ground MD-11 models followed instructions from manufacturer Boeing, while rival delivery giant FedEx confirmed it would follow suit.
Officials are yet to determine what caused the deadly crash.
Hours before the fleet was grounded, officials confirmed that the death toll had risen to 14 after another body was found, with buildings caught up in the fire still being searched for more victims.
“We pray for each of the victims’ families and pray that no additional victims are lost,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said.
In a statement, UPS said the decision to ground 9% of its fleet was out of an “abundance of caution”.
Boeing later said in a statement to Reuters that it recommended UPS and FedEx suspend use of the MD-11 plane.
“This recommendation was made in an abundance of caution and we will continue coordinating with the FAA on this matter,” a Boeing spokesperson said.
It is unclear to what extent delivery services will be impacted by the moves from UPS and FedEx, which are the world’s largest cargo carriers.
FedEx said it operated 28 MD-11s and Reuters quoted a UPS fact-sheet that said the firm had 27 in its fleet before the Kentucky crash.
UPS said contingency plans were in place to continue service. A statement continued: “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees and the communities we serve.”
The model of aircraft involved in the crash was a MD-11F triple-engine plane, which first entered service 34 years ago with Thai Airways as a passenger jet, but was transferred to UPS in 2006.
MD-11s were originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, before the company merged with Boeing in 1997. Production of MD-11 planes ended in 2000, while passenger service officially ended in 2014.
According to the National Transportation and Safety Board, the left engine caught fire and detached from the wing during take-off.
The aircraft was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel as it took off for a long flight to Hawaii, which contributed to the size of the fire after the crash.
[BBC]
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 10 March 2026, valid for 11 March 2026.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at
some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard.
For further clarifications please contact 011-744649
Much of the centre of the German city of Dresden will be evacuated on Wednesday, after the discovery of a large unexploded British World War Two flying bomb.
The 250kg (551lb) device was discovered near the former Carola Bridge, which collapsed in the Elbe River in 2024.
The fire brigade in Dresden says this is the city’s largest evacuation to date for such an incident, affecting around 18,000 residents, tourists and commuters.
Much of the old town will be cordoned off by 09:00 (08:00 GMT), including some of the city’s most famous buildings – the iconic Frauenkirche Lutheran church, the Residenzschloss Palace and the Semper Opera.
The police headquarters, Saxony’s state parliament, several ministries, retirement and nursing homes, daycare centres and other social institutions are also located in the evacuated area.
The authorities are providing emergency accommodation at the Dresden Exhibition Centre from 07:00 (06:00 GMT), while additional buses and trams will be running to this location.
It is not clear how long it will take to defuse the bomb.
Dresden was attacked by British aircraft on 13 February 1945. In the days that followed, the British and their US allies dropped nearly 4,000 tons of bombs in the assault on the city.
The ensuing firestorm killed 25,000 people and ravaged the city centre, once known as the Jewel Box because of its Baroque and Rococo architecture.
Four other bombs were found during demolition work on the Carola Bridge last year.
(BBC)
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President to appoint the Committee on Economic Surveillance headed by the Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando as the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and comprised of the relevant heads of the Institutions and eminencies in the field to provide recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers on the essential policy precautions to be taken by constantly supervising the impact that can affect Sri Lankan economy due to the conflict in the Middle East.
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