Two ground workers tragically lost their lives after a cargo aircraft overshot the runway and plunged into the sea during an early morning landing at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday.

Emirates flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 freighter arriving from Dubai, lost control while attempting to land at around 3:50 am local time. The plane reportedly failed to stop before the end of the north runway, one of Asia’s busiest airstrips, and came to rest partially submerged in nearby waters.

During the incident, the aircraft collided with an airport ground service vehicle, tearing off one of its wheels and sending the vehicle into the sea. Both ground crew members inside were later confirmed dead.

In Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department confirmed that the cargo jet had “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea.”

A large-scale emergency response followed, involving 213 firefighters and paramedics, along with 45 emergency vehicles, vessels, and a Government Flying Service helicopter. The plane’s four crew members managed to escape and were quickly rescued from the water.

Airport officials said passenger flight operations have remained unaffected, though at least 12 cargo flights have been cancelled as investigations continue into the cause of the crash.

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