Tires of a Delta plane explode at Atlanta airport. Two dead and one seriously injured

Two people were killed and a third was seriously injured when a tire burst during the dismantling of a Delta Air Lines aircraft at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The explosion occurred early Tuesday in the airport's maintenance area, killing a Delta employee and a contractor and seriously injuring another airline employee, local broadcaster WSB2 reported.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Delta expressed its condolences to the victims.

“The Delta family is heartbroken over 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 pledged our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” the airline wrote.

“The Delta family is grateful for the quick response of first responders and medical teams on the scene. We are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to find out what happened.”

The plane was traveling from Las Vegas to Atlanta on Sunday evening. It was initially unclear what caused the explosion.