The U.S. Embassy in China says three Americans are dead after a Zimbabwe cargo plane crashed during takeoff at Shanghai's main international airport.

Spokesman Richard Buangan says three Americans are confirmed dead and a fourth American is injured. He does not know the injured person's condition.

The plane was on its way to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, when it veered off the runway and burst into flames Saturday morning.

Seven crew members were on board. China's official Xinhua news agency reports one crew member was critically injured, with three in serious condition.

The news agency cites health officials as saying the crew came from the United States, Indonesia and other unnamed countries.