Five people died and five more were seriously injured when an Amazon Air cargo plane overshot the runway while attempting to land at Miami International Airport on Sunday afternoon. The Boeing 767-300 freighter was arriving from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, when the incident occurred just before 2 p.m. local time.

The crash, which occurred over the busy Labor Day weekend, prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground all flights at the airport as emergency crews responded to the smoking wreckage. The plane struck several vehicles on the ground after leaving the runway, trapping some individuals who required extrication by firefighters.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed the fatalities and injuries at a news conference Sunday evening, stating that rescue crews were on the scene immediately. Three of the five injured individuals were in critical condition and were transported to a hospital with undisclosed injuries.

The cause of the crash is currently unknown and will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is expected to hold a news conference on Monday. The aircraft, operated by charter company 21 Air, came to rest near a parking lot servicing an Amazon warehouse and other businesses.

Amazon Air stated that the flight was operated by 21 Air, a North Carolina-based charter company. The e-commerce giant has expressed its condolences and is cooperating with authorities. "We're heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today's incident at Miami International Airport," said Kelly Nantel, Amazon's Director of Corporate Global Media Relations. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss."

Miami Fire Chief Raied Jadallah reported that over 200 firefighters responded to the scene, extinguishing the flames but facing a continued fuel leak. Flight data indicated the plane was traveling at 112 knots (129 mph) as it exited the runway. Weather conditions at the time included light thunderstorms and gusting winds.

21 Air, the carrier operating the flight, has not yet responded to requests for comment from the BBC. The incident occurred amid significant travel volume for the holiday weekend, potentially exacerbating disruptions at one of the nation's busiest airports.

Officials emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages and that determining the precise factors leading to the crash will be the focus of the NTSB's inquiry.