Seven people were killed when a UPS cargo plane crashed while taking off from an airport in Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday evening, the state's governor said.

At least 11 other people were injured when the freight plane exploded as it departed Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport at around 17:15 local time (22:15 GMT), sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that the plane's three crew members were likely among the dead, adding that, Anyone who has seen the images and the video knows how violent this crash is.

Officials warned that people suffered very significant injuries in the incident and the death toll could rise.

UPS flight 2976 bound for Honolulu, Hawaii was carrying 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel when it skidded off the runway in Louisville and struck nearby buildings.

The explosion engulfed at least two nearby businesses, including a petroleum recycling company. A shelter-in-place order was initially issued for within five miles of the airport due to concerns of further explosions and air pollution, but was later reduced to just one mile.

All departing flights for Tuesday evening were cancelled, the airport stated.

Louisville Fire Dept Chief Brian O'Neill said the fire has almost entirely been contained, with crews still deployed at the crash site.

He added: When you have such a large scale incident and fire that spread over such a massive area, we have to use hundreds of personnel to surround it, contain it, and then slowly bring it in.

At a press conference, Beshear warned people not to go to the crash site, stating that, There are still dangerous things that are flammable, that are potentially explosive.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) are expected in Kentucky to assess the situation.

The aircraft involved was a MD-11F, a triple-engine jet that started service 34 years ago with Thai Airways but was transferred to UPS in 2006. The plane is currently being phased out as part of fleet modernization by both FedEx and UPS.

The city of Louisville is known as a UPS town, and local leaders expressed their heartbreak over the incident, emphasizing the community ties to the airline.

UPS expressed its condolences and stated it would halt operations at its Worldport facility following the crash.