A cargo aircraft operated by Emirates skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, plunging into the sea and tragically resulting in the deaths of two airport ground workers.

Flight EK9788, a freighter arriving from Dubai, touched down at around 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT) before veering off course during landing and colliding with an airport patrol vehicle. The two people inside the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene, while all four crew members aboard the aircraft survived.

Airport authorities said that the flight crew had received proper landing instructions and that runway markings and signage were clearly visible at the time of the incident. Officials added that the patrol vehicle had been traveling along a service road outside the runway’s fenced perimeter “at a safe distance” when the aircraft suddenly broke through the fencing, striking the vehicle and forcing both into the water.

An Emirates spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft “sustained damage upon landing in Hong Kong,” adding that “no cargo was onboard.” All four crew members escaped through emergency exits shortly after impact and were rescued within minutes by responding fire services.

The crash is being described as one of Hong Kong’s most serious aviation accidents in recent years. Hong Kong International Airport is widely recognised for its strong safety record.

A formal investigation into the cause of the crash is now underway.