Five people were killed and several more injured when the parachute of an aid package airdropped Friday over war-torn Gaza failed to deploy, leaving the parcel to plummet on top of them, according to reports.
The incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. local time as the United States, Belgium, Egypt, France, Jordan and the Netherlands conducted the humanitarian airdrop over the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, CBS News reported.
Video posted to social media - which could not immediately be verified by HNGN.com - shows a passing plane dropping dozens of aid packages. The parachute attached to one package, however, appears not to open properly, making its descent far more rapid than the others.
Officials from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, as well as an eyewitness, told CBS that five people were killed on the ground, including two boys.
Several more were reportedly injured. CBS put that number at 11, while CNN said 10 people were injured, citing Khader Al Zaanoun, a journalist on the scene.
The injured ranged in age from 30 to 50, CBS reported.
A U.S. defense official told CBS that an initial review suggested that the U.S. airdrop was not to blame for the incident, but that further investigation was required.
The U.S. began conducting the airdrops last week in an effort to address the spiraling humanitarian conditions in Gaza, amid Hamas' war with Israel.
The war began on Oct. 7 with Hamas' surprise attack on Israel, which saw indiscriminate killing and hostages taken back to Gaza.
Since, Israel has responded with an air and land campaign aimed at ousting Hamas from Gaza.
Civilians represent the majority of those killed on both sides.
