On Tuesday morning, two Delta Ait Lines workers died and another was injured at a maintenance facility in what seems to have been an explosion.
The men were working at the carrier’s Atlanta Technical Operations Maintenance facility at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport around 5:00 am local time. They were conducting regular checks at the airline’s wheel and break shop.
While the exact circumstances of the accident are not known, Delta has confirmed it involved a tire and components within it on a wheel that was neither attached nor near the aircraft. According to the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department’s incident report, first responders to the “possible explosion” found “three Delta employees on the floor”, with “major bleeding”.
Another worker told officials he heard an explosion and saw people running. “I realized they were running to get help. I walked toward where the explosion occurred and saw a body lying face down, not moving, with blood all around”, he said, according to the incident report.
“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 are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to determine what happened.”
The two men who died have been identified as 58 years old Mirko Marweg and 37 year old Luis Aldarondo. The identity of the third man, who was injured, has not been revealed by authorities.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased Delta employees”, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens reacted in a statement. “My thoughts are also with those who were injured, and I hope for their swift and full recovery.”
An investigation has been started by the airline to determine the exact circumstances of the incident while the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it was “aware of the event and is in communication with the airline”.
