Kit Roberts
Two people have died and a third has been injured following an incident at a maintenance facility operated by Delta Airlines.
Employees were changing a tire on an aircraft at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when the tire exploded.
One of those killed was an employee of Delta and the other was a contractor with the airline.
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Another person is understood to have suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident.
The aircraft, a Boeing 757, had arrived in Atlanta from Las Vegas on Sunday night, according to a report form WSB-TV.
Tracking data from website Flight Radar indicates that the plane had completed four short trips that day, travelling between Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Tampa.
It had been undergoing maintenance at the Delta Technical Operations Maintenance facility, or Delta TechOps, at the airport when the incident occurred.
Delta TechOps oversees the maintenance and repair of Delta's fleet of aircraft.
The identities of the those killed and injured have not been made public.
John Laughter is the executive vice president and chief of operations for TechOps, and sent a 'note from John' following the incident.
It read: "I’m deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta.
"Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured.
"We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened."
He added: "Please know your safety and wellbeing comes first – always, and that your leaders are here for you. Please continue to take good care of yourself and one another.
"We’re all in this together, and we’ll get through this by supporting each other."
Delta Airlines has also released an official 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 have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
"The Delta family is grateful for the quick action of first responders and medical teams on site. We are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to determine what happened."
UNILAD has contacted representatives of Delta Airlines for a comment.