3 Americans Killed in Shanghai Plane Crash

Three Americans died when a cargo plane crashed early Saturday at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said.

The three people who died were among seven crew members on the plane, according to Xinhua news agency.

It reported that the plane was on its way to Kyrgyzstan and caught fire on takeoff. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the airport, CNN reports.

The accident happened at Pudong airport. The plane, registered in Zimbabwe, was scheduled to fly to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.

Richard Buangan, deputy spokesman at the U.S. embassy in Beijing, said there were four Americans on board. "Three of them are confirmed dead, and one is injured," he said.

The other crew members were also taken to hospital with injuries.

Airport authorities declined to comment on the accident but said there were delays in flights leaving Shanghai. The Zimbabwe Embassy could not be reached for comment, Reuters informs.