Two people have been confirmed dead after a cargo plane skidded off a runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plunged into the sea early on Monday morning.
The incident occurred at around 03:50 local time (19:50 SAST) when the Boeing 747-481 freighter, operated by Turkish cargo airline Air ACT on behalf of Emirates, was attempting to land after a flight from Dubai.
According to BBC News, the aircraft struck an airport patrol vehicle stationed near the north runway before breaking through fencing and sliding into the sea. Both occupants of the vehicle — experienced airport security staff with seven and 12 years of service — were rescued but later died in hospital. The four crew members on board the cargo aircraft were rescued safely and sustained only minor injuries.
Speaking at a press conference, Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, Executive Director for Airport Operations at Hong Kong airport, said the crash occurred under “fit weather conditions” and stressed that “the runway condition was safe and met all operational standards.”
Yiu detailed the sequence of events, explaining that the plane veered off course after landing, colliding with the patrol car and forcing it into the sea.
“Unfortunately, the security vehicle was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. “It was operating outside the runway fence and had not entered the runway.”
Fire and rescue teams arrived at the scene within two minutes of the report being received at 03:55 local time (19:55 SAST).
“When we arrived, the plane was broken into two parts, half of it still afloat,” said a representative of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department.
“A total of 213 firefighters, first responders, and 45 vehicles and ships were deployed.”
The damaged aircraft, originally built in 1993, was converted from a passenger plane to a freighter years ago. It was leased under a “wet lease” arrangement, meaning Air ACT provided the plane, crew, and insurance to Emirates SkyCargo.
Emirates confirmed to BBC that “flight EK9788 sustained damage during landing at Hong Kong International Airport,” adding that no cargo was on board.
Hong Kong’s Transport and Logistics Bureau expressed its condolences to the victims’ families and said a full investigation was underway.
“The bureau is saddened by the loss of two ground staff members and extends its deepest condolences to their families,” it said in a statement.
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) is now working to recover the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly known as the black boxes, from the sea.
Investigators will focus on whether mechanical failure, human error, or other external factors played a role.
Yiu made it clear that the airport itself was not at fault, describing the incident as “highly unusual.” “The guidance lights were functioning properly, and the air traffic control gave the correct instructions,” he said.
“This was not a normal route, and we are confident that airport operations met all safety requirements.”
The north runway — the newest of the airport’s three — has been closed pending a safety inspection, though operations on the centre and south runways continue as normal.
This marks only the second fatal accident in the history of Hong Kong airport since it relocated from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in 1998. Despite the tragedy, officials reaffirmed that the airport remains one of the safest and busiest aviation hubs in the world.
