News

3 killed, 4 injured as Zimbabwe cargo plane crashes in China

November 29, 2009 Edition 1

SHANGHAI: Three crew members were killed and four injured - one seriously - when a Zimbabwe cargo plane veered off the runway and burst into flames as it took off from Shanghai's main international airport.

The aircraft's tail struck the ground on take-off, China Central Television reported yesterday.

The plane was headed to Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.

The aircraft was operated by Zimbabwe-based Avient Aviation, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Calls to the Zimbabwe embassy in Beijing went unanswered.

Xinhua said one crew member was critically injured, with three in serious condition. The news agency cited health officials as saying the crew came from the US, Indonesia and other unnamed countries.

More than 30 international flights were delayed yesterday morning, leaving about 4 000 travellers stranded on planes or in airport lounges, Xinhua said. CCTV said two runways at the airport were shut down. - AP