Hong Kong —
A tragic incident struck Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning when a cargo aircraft skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea, resulting in the death of two ground staff members. The accident has sent shockwaves across the aviation community.
According to local media reports, the aircraft was Emirates flight EK9788, a Boeing 747-481 cargo jet operated by Turkish cargo airline Air ACT. The plane had arrived from Dubai and was attempting to land on Hong Kong’s northern runway at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time.
During landing, the plane collided with a ground vehicle, lost control, and veered off the runway into the surrounding waters. Emergency crews rushed to the scene, rescuing two ground personnel who had fallen into the sea. Both were transported to the hospital but later succumbed to their injuries.
Police and public broadcasters confirmed the fatalities, while the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident’s causes.
Airport authorities temporarily closed the affected runway as rescue operations and debris removal continued. Incoming and outgoing flights were redirected to alternate runways to maintain air traffic flow.
This is being described as the most serious aviation accident in Hong Kong this year. The tragic event has reignited concerns over runway safety and ground coordination at one of the world’s busiest airports.
