Two killed and one injured as Delta plane tire explodes at Atlanta airport

Two airline workers are dead and another was seriously injured in an explosion that rocked a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday morning.

Multiple local news sources described the harrowing scene as details about the explosion continue to flood in. WSB-TV reported that the explosion was caused by a tire and that the two who died were a Delta employee and a contract worker. Unnamed sources were cited providing that information.

Numerous fire units and police vehicles were seen racing toward the maintenance hangar at the airport shortly after 5 a.m. on Tuesday, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Delta released a statement about the incident: "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. We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time."

The statement continued, "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."

WSB-TV cited the same unnamed sources and said the tire exploded as it was being removed from the aircraft. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the explosion or how the tire injured and killed those hit by it.

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The injured person's condition wasn't immediately known, but it was reported that they had suffered a major injury. They were a Delta employee, meaning the incident impacted two Delta employees and one contractor.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said, according to ABC News , "I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased Delta employees. My thoughts are also with those who were injured, and I hope for their swift and full recovery."

An airport spokesperson told Atlanta News Live that no airport operations were impacted by the tragic incident. The outlet also reported that the IAM Union, which has been working to unionize Delta workers, is urging Delta and the airport to "quickly launch a thorough investigation into how this happened."

"We stand in unity with Delta workers during this difficult time," the IAM Union said. The plane on which the explosion occurred was reportedly a Boeing 757-200 reportedly arrived from Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday night just after 9 p.m., FOX 5 reported, citing FlightAware.