Two security officials at Hong Kong airport died when a commercial aircraft veered off course on the runway, struck their vehicle and threw it overboard.

According to BBC, the Emirates flight arrived from Dubai to China at noon on Monday (20/10) when, during landing, it went off the runway, broke the perimeter fence and collided with the airport security vehicle, pushing it into the water.

The employees, aged 30 and 41, were recovered unconscious from the vehicle, which was five metres from shore and seven metres below the surface of the water. They were immediately taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead.

The aircraft also ended up in the water, but the four crew members survived.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash as it is one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent years at Hong Kong International Airport.

The investigation will focus on the unanswered questions about the path the aircraft took when it landed. The weather, the condition of the runway, the aircraft and its crew will be examined as part of the investigation, authorities said.

Hong Kong Airport said at least 11 commercial flights originally scheduled to arrive at the airport on Monday have been cancelled.