Two airport security staff were killed early Monday after a cargo plane arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport, collided with their patrol vehicle, and pushed it into the sea, authorities said.
The Boeing 747 freighter, operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, was attempting to land around 3:50 a.m. local time when it veered sharply left after touchdown on runway 07L, airport officials said. The aircraft ended up partially submerged near the airport’s seawall, its nose and tail section separated.
All four crew members escaped unharmed, but the two security officers in the patrol vehicle were pulled from the water unconscious. One was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other later died in hospital, said Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at Airport Authority Hong Kong.
“This is a tragic incident. The two staff members were experienced and doing their job within their assigned area,” Yiu said, adding that the authority would provide full support to their families. The victims had worked at the airport for seven and twelve years, respectively.
Photos from the scene showed the AirACT-liveried Boeing jet resting in shallow water with its emergency slide deployed.
Investigation Underway
Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority said the aircraft “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea.” Chief investigator Man Ka-chai confirmed air traffic control had cleared the flight to land but received no distress call before the crash.
An air traffic recording reviewed by Reuters indicated the pilot reported no technical issues before landing. Authorities said they are examining weather, runway conditions, aircraft performance, and crew actions as part of the investigation.
Emirates said in a statement that flight EK9788 sustained damage during landing but was carrying no cargo, confirming the safety of the crew. Boeing and ACT Airlines have not yet commented.
Flights Continue, Runway Closed for Inspection
Despite the accident, flights at the world’s busiest cargo hub continued as normal. The north runway remained closed for inspection, while the south and central runways stayed operational.
The aircraft, built 32 years ago, had previously served as a passenger jet before being converted into a freighter, according to FlightRadar24 data.
Monday’s crash marks Hong Kong’s deadliest airport accident since 1999, when a China Airlines jet crashed while landing, killing three people.
