Two Killed As Cargo Plane Skids Off Hong Kong Runway

Two people were killed early Monday after a cargo plane landing in Hong Kong reportedly collided with a ground vehicle and skidded off the runway into the sea, authorities said.

According to a statement from Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, the B744 cargo plane arriving from the United Arab Emirates “deviated from the North Runway after landing and ditched into the sea.”

“Preliminary information indicates that the four crew members on board were rescued and taken to hospital, while two ground staff were affected and fell into the sea,” the statement added.

Authorities said the aircraft is believed to have struck a ground vehicle, which also plunged into the sea.

A 30-year-old man aboard the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while another, aged 41, died after being taken to hospital.

The airport’s north runway was temporarily closed on Monday morning, though its other two runways remained operational.