Puerto Rican officials say nine people were aboard the military plane that crashed in Savannah Wednesday and that there are no apparent survivors, according to the Associated Press.
Capt. Jeffrey E. Bezore of the Georgia Air National Guard told ABC News that nine total people were on the plane that crashed.
The Savannah Air National Guard Base confirmed with TEGNA stations that a U.S. C-130 "Hercules" cargo plane from Puerto Rico Air National Guard crashed at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday near the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport.
Next of kin has yet to be notified, so names of the deceased have not been released.
A board of officers will investigate the accident.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Highway 21 at Crossgate Road. Roads will be shut down in the area Thursday and officials are asking people to avoid the area.
The plane has been identified by the Professional Firefighters Association in Savannah as a Military C-130. First Coast News is continuing to gather details regarding the crash.
Puerto Rico's Gov. Rosselló released this statement regarding the plane crash. The plane was heading to Arizona.
"Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, along with the Assistant General of the National Guard of Puerto Rico (GNPR) Isabelo Rivera, reported on the crash of a GNPR airplane at the Savannah airport. Georgia.
The C-130 was attached to the Air Transport Wing 156 of the Air National Guard at Muñiz Base, Carolina.
"While we are waiting for more information regarding this unfortunate accident, my thoughts and those of Beatriz are with the families of the crew. They will receive our support and that of the National Guard of Puerto Rico in this process."
For his part, the assistant general of the GNPR commented that "on behalf of the great family of the National Guard of Puerto Rico I want to indicate that our prayers are with the families and loved ones of the crew members".
As reported, the aircraft crashed near 11:30 a. m. today shortly after taking off from Savannah Airport in the course of a routine mission to Arizona.
The next press conference is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
Stay with First Coast News as we continue to follow this developing story.
Military c130 down at 21 and Gulfstream Rd. Avoid the area. 21 shut down until further notice. pic.twitter.com/6hUqwmkNUu
The Associated Press contributed to this report.