Two ground staff killed at Hong Kong airport after cargo plane and vehicle go into the sea

HONG KONG — Two people were killed Monday when a cargo plane skidded off a runway at Hong Kong International Airport after striking a ground service vehicle, sending both the plane and the vehicle into the sea, officials said.

The accident occurred around 3:50 a.m. (3:50 p.m. Sunday ET) when Emirates Flight 9788 arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, “deviated” from the North Runway after landing and “ditched into the sea,” the Civil Aviation Department said.

Two ground staff were killed when their vehicle fell into the sea as well, according to the Air Accident Investigation Authority, which said it was investigating the cause of the accident.

The four crew members on board the plane, a Boeing 747 freighter, were rescued and sent to the hospital, the Civil Aviation Department said.

Emirates did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from NBC News before the start of business hours in Dubai, where the airline is based.

Emirates told the Associated Press the plane was wet leased and operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines. In a wet lease, the company supplying the plane also provides the crew, maintenance and insurance. Emirates said there was no cargo on board.

ACT Airlines also did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment from NBC News.

A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau said that relevant departments would “fully co-operate to ensure the safety of airport operations.”

“The TLB is saddened by the loss of two ground staff members in the accident and extends its deepest condolences to their families,” the spokesperson said.

The North Runway at Hong Kong International, one of the busiest airports in the world, is closed due to the accident, the Civil Aviation Department said, while the South and Center Runways remain operational.