Washington, 1 February 2025 (dpa/MIA) - A small plane with six people aboard crashed in Philadelphia shortly after takeoff on Friday, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

All six people on the plane were from Mexico, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said.

The plane, a medical transport jet, had just departed from Northeast Philadelphia Airport en route to Missouri when it went down around 6:30 pm (2330 GMT), the FAA said in a statement.

The operating company, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, confirmed that the aircraft had four crew members, a patient, and another passenger on board.

"At this time, we cannot confirm any survivors," the company said in the statement.

US media reported that the final destination was Tijuana, Mexico and that the patient was a child.

The crash occurred in a busy north-east area of the city, surrounded by shops, apartment buildings, and heavy traffic.

A large number of emergency services were deployed.

Pictures from several US television stations showed a large explosion.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that information on fatalities was not immediately available.

"Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and everyone affected by this tragedy. Several dwellings and vehicles were impacted as well," Parker said.

The crash follows a deadly collision earlier this week in Washington, where an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a military helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday evening.

Officials said on Thursday that all 64 people aboard the passenger jet and all three soldiers aboard the helicopter were presumed dead.

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