Witnesses at the scene of the horrific crash of a Learjet 55 ambulance plane in Philadelphia describe “body parts everywhere” as local emergency officials continue to assess the scope of the devastation.

The crash occurred just after 6 p.m. on Friday night only 30 seconds after the plane took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, according to recordings from Air Traffic Control.

The crash site is less than 3 miles from the airport, which primarily serves business jets and charter flights. Philadelphia’s emergency management office said there was a “major incident” at the location of the crash site and that roads are closed in the area.

The plane was operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance and a spokesperson for the company told NBC News that there were four crew members, one pediatric patient and one guardian on board. They do not expect any survivors according to the spokesperson. All people on board the plane were Mexican nationals, according to the spokesperson.

The patient was a juvenile who had reportedly travelled to the U.S. to receive “life saving medical treatment,” according to the spokesperson.

Flight data showed a small jet taking off from the airport at 6:06 p.m. and disappearing from radar about 30 seconds later after climbing to an altitude of 1,600 feet (487 meters).

A photo posted on the social platform X by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management showed a thick cloud of smoke in the sky near the Roosevelt Mall , where first responders were blocking traffic and onlookers crowded onto a street corner.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates air crashes, said it was gathering information about the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately have details on the crash.

Vehicles in the area could be seen on fire and several homes were reported to be on fire and local officials are urging people to avoid the area. ABC News reported that the plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri.

The FAA issued a ground stop at Northeast Philadelphia Airport due to “an aircraft incident.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said his team is in contact with local officials and first responders and is “offering all Commonwealth resources as they respond to the small private plane crash in Northeast Philly.”

Shapiro said at a news conference Friday night that four officials from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are en-route to the city to begin their investigations.