An Emirates cargo plane skidded off the runway into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport

A cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong’s international airport and landed in the sea, killing two people, local media reported.

Emirates flight EK9788, operating as Aerotranscargo, was arriving from Dubai at around 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT) when it struck a vehicle on the north runway.

Two airport staff fell into the sea, the civil aviation department said in a statement. They were rescued but later died in hospital, according to local media, including public broadcaster RTHK, citing police.

Four crew members on board the plane survived and were taken to hospital.

The affected runway has been closed, but the airport’s other two runways are still operating.

The airport authority will host a press conference at 10:00 local time (02:00 GMT).

Hong Kong’s civil aviation authority deployed helicopters over the affected runway, while fire service vessels were also involved in the rescue, media reported.

This is a rare incident for Hong Kong International Airport, which has a good safety record.