LaGuardia Airport, one of New York City's primary aviation hubs, remained shut Monday following a deadly runway collision between an Air Canada Express jet and a Port Authority fire truck that claimed the lives of two pilots and left dozens injured.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the collision and that 41 individuals were transported to hospitals —39 passengers and two Port Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting officers aboard the truck.

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia told reporters that initial indications showed 32 of those hospitalized had been discharged, though several sustained serious injuries. Garcia confirmed that Air Canada Flight 8646, operated by Jazz Aviation, had 72 passengers and four crew members on board.

The flight departed Montreal Trudeau International Airport shortly after 10:30 p.m. ET and arrived at LaGuardia about an hour later, according to FlightRadar24. The collision occurred at approximately 11:40 p.m. when the fire truck had been cleared by air traffic control to cross Runway 4 while responding to a separate odor-related incident aboard a United Airlines aircraft.

Air traffic control audio captured the controller urgently ordering the truck to halt before the impact, then addressing the incoming jet: "JAZZ 646, I see you collided with the vehicle." In a later transmission, the controller is heard saying: "I tried to reach out to them, I stopped them. We were dealing with an emergency earlier, and I messed up."

President Trump, speaking to reporters Monday morning, commented briefly on the incident: "They made a mistake. It's a dangerous business. That's terrible."

The airport was closed, and flights were diverted. The NTSB dispatched a go-team to investigate, and the FAA indicated the closure could extend until 6:00 p.m. GMT. (CubaSí)