Two workers were killed and another seriously injured Tuesday in a tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines maintenance facility near the Atlanta airport. Delta said the explosion occurred while wheel components were being disassembled for maintenance at a wheel and brake shop. The parts were not attached to a plane at the time, the airline said. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it opened an investigation. Delta said it was working with authorities and the cause of the explosion has not been released.
Unrecognizable Body
The body of one of the workers killed, Mirko Marweg, 58, was left unrecognizable after the explosion. His family was able to identify him through his tattoos and a Mississippi State lanyard around his neck.
Marweg's son, Andre Coleman, told Atlanta's 11Alive news station on Tuesday that he wanted to see his father because he didn't believe he was dead. But a medical examiner told the family the body was unrecognizable.
Marweg, who lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia, worked for Delta for more than 20 years and was planning to retire in a few months, according to 11Alive. Coleman said his father was a loving man who just Sunday had helped change the oil in Coleman's motorcycle.
“That’s the kind of dad he was. He was always there,” Coleman said.
The Clayton County Medical Examiner's Office identified the second victim as Luis Aldarondo, 37, of Newnan, Georgia. The worker who was seriously injured remained under medical care Wednesday, Delta spokesperson Samantha Moore Facteau said in an email.
Aftermath of the Explosion
The incident prompted a joint investigation by Delta and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Delta released a statement expressing their condolences to the families of the victims and promised to conduct a full investigation. The company also stated that the wheel parts that were being disassembled for maintenance were not attached to a plane at the time of the explosion.
Several Atlanta fire units and police responded to the maintenance hangar near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shortly after 5 a.m., The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The airport said flights were not affected, and Delta said its maintenance operation was not impacted.
Union Calls for Investigation
The International Association of Machinists (IAM), a union representing airline industry staff members across North America, called on Delta and authorities to quickly launch a thorough investigation into the incident. The union stated that they would offer their resources to those impacted by the tragedy and stand in unity with Delta workers during this difficult time.
“As a union dedicated to the well-being and safety of our members and the broader community, we will offer our resources to all those impacted by this tragic event. We stand in unity with Delta workers during this difficult time and we call on Delta and the relevant authorities to quickly launch a thorough investigation into how this happened,” IAM said in a statement.
Officials Offer Condolences
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens offered his condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, and his thoughts to those injured. The mayor said police, fire, and airport officials were on the scene.
Delta TechOps Chief of Operations John Laughter said in a memo to TechOps employees that he is “deeply saddened to share that three TechOps team members were involved in an accident that took place early this morning in Atlanta TOC 3, Dept. 391 – Wheel & Brake Shop. Tragically, two of our team members involved passed away and one other team member was seriously injured.”
“We are extending our full support to their families at this difficult time and conducting an investigation to determine what happened,” Laughter’s memo stated.
Moving Forward
The tragedy has shaken the Delta community, with many expressing their grief and offering support to the families of the victims. The investigation into the explosion is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what caused the incident. The aviation industry is mourning the loss of two dedicated workers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The impact of this incident will likely be felt for some time, as Delta and the aviation industry grapple with the tragedy and seek to understand what led to the explosion.
