Two people died after a single-turboprop Cessna Caravan aircraft crashed into an abandoned building near Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport this afternoon, according to the state Department of Transportation.

DOT Director Ed Sniffen said the Kamaka Air training flight had two people on board and crashed shortly after takeoff from the airport’s Runway 4-Links.

Officials did not immediately release the identities or ages of the victims.

The flight was identified as Kamaka Air Flight 689. The plane left Honolulu Airport at 3:15 p.m. bound for Lanai Airport but never reached its destination, according to FlightAware.

Honolulu rescue workers arrived shortly after the crash and confirmed that the two people on board were dead, officials said.

Sniffen said the abandoned building is slated for demolition and no one was inside at the time of the crash.

Sniffen called the incident an “absolute tragedy” but said it could have been “much, much worse” because the pilot apparently made several adjustments to “minimize the impact.” Sniffen said an airport gas station was not far from the impact site.

He said the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board would investigate.

Honolulu Fire Department Chief Sheldon Hao said the fire from the crash was confined to the outside of the building and the crashed plane and was quickly extinguished. Hao said the airport fire department arrived first, followed by HFD and the Honolulu Emergency Medical Service.

Hao expressed his condolences to the “Kamaka ohana.”

Jim Ireland, director of Honolulu EMS, said the crash occurred just a few blocks from EMS headquarters and that first responders were on scene shortly after the crash.

A woman who works near the airport told Hawaii News Now she saw a small blue and white plane fly past her seventh-floor office window and then heard a loud bang.

Heavy black smoke could be seen near the air cargo facilities.

“Ualena and Aolele roads near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are closed due to a plane crash,” Transportation Department officials said in an alert shortly after the crash around 3:37 p.m.

The roads reopened shortly before 6 p.m

City officials said in a statement: “The Honolulu Emergency Operations Center is partially activated in response to the incident near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.” The city’s Emergency Management Division is monitoring the situation and several first responders, including the fire department of Honolulu and the Honolulu Police Department, responded to the incident.”

Gov. Josh Green issued a statement saying, “Shortly after three this afternoon, HDOT responded to a plane crash into an unoccupied structure on Ualena Street.

“All airport facilities are operational; However, the roads around the plane crash are closed. HDOT is coordinating with airport staff and Terminal 3 occupants to ensure safe transportation to areas not needed to respond to the crash.

“Jaime’s thoughts and my thoughts are with the pilot and passenger and their families, as well as everyone who experienced this traumatic event. There are services available to help you process your witnesses. Call 2-1-1, Aloha United Way, for assistance. Our Department of Transportation team will provide all necessary assistance to federal officials whose task will be to investigate this incident and determine a cause that may not be known for some time.”

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a separate statement: “This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the dedication and risks taken by those who help keep Hawaii’s vital supplies moving.” Our thoughts and prayers are with to everyone affected by this tragedy at this incredibly difficult time.

“We would also like to thank the first responders who were quickly on site to provide assistance. The city stands ready to support Kamaka Air and all those affected in any way possible.”

This breaking news story will be updated as more information becomes available.