Three dead and five in critical condition after hangar collapses at Boise Airport in Idaho
An airport hangar under construction on an airfield in Idaho has collapsed killing three people.
Nine others were injured in the incident which happened at around 5pm on Wednesday on the grounds of Boise Airport, officials said.
Five of the injured are in a critical condition and receiving care at local hospitals.
Boise Fire Department, Boise Police, Gowen Field Fire Department, and Ada County Paramedics responded to the incident.
Emergency services at the scene. Pic: Terra Furman via AP
“Tonight, there was a catastrophic collapse of a metal structure at a construction site,” said Aaron Hummel, Boise Fire Department operations chief.
“First responders found a hectic scene and worked to secure and rescue victims.
“The Boise Airport, city of Boise, and all first responders extend their deepest sympathies to those impacted.”
Everyone at the site has been accounted for, he said, and the cause of the “large-scale collapse” is being investigated.
“I don’t know what caused it, but I can tell you it was a pretty global collapse,” he said.
Some of the victims were on a hoist or elevated platform at the time the structure fell, and that required some specialised rescue efforts, he said.
He confirmed that a crane also collapsed during the incident.
The cause of the incident is being investigated. Pic: Terra Furman via AP
Boise Airport operations were unaffected, and no city-owned buildings were impacted by the incident.
The names of those who died will be released by Ada County Coroner’s Office pending notification of next of kin, officials said.
Firefighters remain at the scene, the site is secure and there is no threat to the public, officials said.
Terra Furman was driving on Interstate 84 at about 5.30pm when she spotted at least 20 police cars, ambulances and fire engines near the entry to the airport.
They were around what she described as a crane folded in half and a building collapsed into the shape of an “M”.
“The walls were still up at a point and the middle collapsed in on either side,” she said.
Firefighters remain at the scene. Pic: Terra Furman via AP
James Quintana was driving to the airport when he saw emergency vehicles rushing past him.
He said he immediately thought it was a plane crash. He then saw the collapsed hangar and paramedics tending to victims.
“I’m retired law enforcement and when there is that much commotion, that many emergency personnel and vehicles, there is something huge that has taken place. It was a scary sight,” he said.
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The hangar collapsed next to Jackson Jet Centre, which offers private aeroplane charters and maintenance.
Boise city records show the contractor Big D Builders had obtained permits to build a 39,000 sq ft jet hangar for Jackson Jet Centre.
The $6.2m (£4.9m) project was to include the construction of a concrete foundation and a metal building.
Jessica Flynn, CEO of Jackson Jet Centre, said in a statement their “hearts go out to everyone affected by this horrific event”.
She said dozens of people were working on site.
“We do not know exactly what caused the hangar collapse,” she said.
“Our focus now is on supporting our team and partners during this difficult time.”
US
Putin wasn’t at the White House, but his influence was – the moments which reveal his hold over Trump
Vladimir Putin wasn’t at the White House but his influence clearly was. At times, it dominated the room.
There were three key moments that revealed the Russian president‘s current hold over Donald Trump.
The first was in the Oval Office. Sitting alongside Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the US president told reporters: “I don’t think you need a ceasefire.”
Ukraine talks latest: Zelenskyy ‘ready to meet’ Putin after Trump summit
Vladimir Putin shaking hands with Donald Trump when they met last week. Pic: Reuters
It was a stunning illustration of Mr Trump’s about-face in his approach to peace. For the past six months, a ceasefire has been his priority, but after meeting Mr Putin in Alaska, suddenly it’s not.
Confirmation that he now views the war through Moscow’s eyes.
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The second was the format itself, with Mr Trump reverting to his favoured ask-what-you-like open-ended Q&A.
In Alaska, Mr Putin wasn’t made to take any questions – most likely, because he didn’t want to. But here, Mr Zelenskyy didn’t have a choice. He was subjected to a barrage of them to see if he’d learnt his lesson from last time.
It was a further demonstration of the special status Mr Trump seems to afford to Mr Putin.
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The third was their phone call. Initially, President Trump said he’d speak to the Kremlin leader after his meeting with European leaders. But it turned out to be during it.
A face-to-face meeting with seven leaders was interrupted for a phone call with one – as if Mr Trump had to check first with Mr Putin, before continuing his discussions.
We still don’t know the full details of the peace proposal that’s being drawn up, but all this strongly suggests that it’s one sketched out by Russia. The White House is providing the paper, but the Kremlin is holding the pen.
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For Moscow, the aim now is to keep Mr Trump on their path to peace, which is settlement first, ceasefire later.
It believes that’s the best way of securing its goals, because it has more leverage so long as the fighting continues.
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But Mr Putin will be wary that Mr Trump is pliable and can easily change his mind, depending on the last person he spoke to.
So to ensure that his sympathies aren’t swayed, and its red lines remain intact, Russia will be straining to keep its voice heard.
On Monday, for example, the Russian foreign ministry was quick to condemn recent comments from the UK government that it would be ready to send troops to help enforce any ceasefire.
It described the idea as “provocative” and “predatory”.
Moscow is trying to drown out European concerns by portraying itself as the party that wants peace the most, and Kyiv (and Europe) as the obstacle.
But while Mr Zelenskyy has agreed to a trilateral meeting, the Kremlin has not. After the phone call between Mr Putin and Mr Trump, it said the leaders discussed “raising the level of representatives” in the talks between Russia and Ukraine. No confirmation to what level.
It’s always wise to let the dust settle before reaching conclusions with this presidency.
But on the face of it we are further away from peace now than we were two weeks ago.
The consensus that was held back then was that Vladimir Putin would only relent under maximum pressure. He does not want slivers of territory. He wants the whole of Ukraine extinguished and absorbed into his greater Russia.
Ukraine talks latest: Trump sets up Zelenskyy-Putin meeting
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What’s next for Ukraine?
To stop him, allies agreed an immediate ceasefire was necessary, along with much more painful pressure, namely sanctions hitting his oil industry. Europeans and Republicans in Congress agree on that.
Then Alaska and Donald Trump’s U-turn. No ceasefire and no more severe sanctions. So less pressure.
Yesterday’s reality TV diplomatic circus in Washington has not shifted him on that stance, so he stays it seems now aligned with Mr Putin on those crucial points.
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Making matters worse for Ukraine, allies seem to be accepting it will have to give up land taken by force.
They sweeten the pill by saying of course only Ukraine can decide whether or not to cede territory, but there is now enormous pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to do so.
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In return there is nebulous and vague talk of security guarantees. European leaders are seizing on the fact Mr Trump did not rule out American troops being involved and hinted at US support for post-war security arrangements.
But that is little consolation for Ukrainians. They point out this president changes his mind as often as his socks and goes back on commitments, even those enshrined in international treaties.
The best that can be said for the White House meeting is it sets up more such meetings.
Read more:
Five key takeaways from the White House Ukraine summit
Trump has taken peace talks a distance not seen since the war began
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Much of yesterday’s events were focused on stroking President Trump’s ego. Many here in Kyiv would prefer he was reminded of a few hard facts about this war. Mr Putin cannot be trusted. Mr Putin wants the end of Ukraine. Mr Putin will only relent under maximum pressure.
Protracted international diplomacy may suit Mr Trump’s craving for attention, but they fear it will only take us further away from peace.
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