A cargo plane has crashed in an uninhabited area near the Dubai airport, according to the official WAM news agency in the United Arab Emirates.
U.S.-based UPS confirmed that the aircraft was one of the company's planes.
The 747-400 with two crew members on board crashed about 8 p.m. (noon ET) as it took off for Cologne, Germany, the company said in a statement. No casualties were immediately confirmed.
"Safety is a key priority for UPS," said the company's airline and international operations manager, Bob Lekites.
"This incident is very unfortunate and we will do everything we can to find the cause," Lekites said in the statement. "Our thoughts go out to the crewmembers involved in the incident and their families."
"We will also release more information as it becomes available, in cooperation with government authorities. We will not speculate about the cause. Until then, we ask for your patience in this difficult time."
