Two workers have died and a third was seriously injured in an explosion Tuesday at a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility near the Atlanta airport, the airline said.
Delta is working with local authorities to investigate the early morning explosion at a wheel and brake repair shop.
“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,” Delta said in a statement. “We have extended our full support to family members and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”
Delta said it was working with local authorities to investigate what happened at the steering wheel and brake workshop.
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers confirmed for CBS affiliate WANF-TV that a tire exploded at the facility.
Delta thanked first responders and medical teams.
Operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were not affected by the fatal incident, according to an airport spokesman.
“We are now working with local authorities and conducting a full investigation to determine what happened,” the Atlanta-based airline said.
Attend TechOps
The facility where the accident occurred is part of Delta TechOps, which performs maintenance, repair and overhaul for Delta and more than 150 airline and airline customers around the world.
The president of TechOps, Delta Executive Vice President John Laughter, said in a message to staff that Delta would make advisors available. “We’re all in this together, and we’re going to get through this by supporting each other,” he said.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens posted on X to offer his condolences to the victims’ families.
The airline workers union called on Delta to launch a quick and thorough investigation into “how this happened.” The union is trying to organize 20,000 ground workers at the mostly non-union Delta.