A cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, crashing through a fence and plunging partway into the sea. The incident left two airport workers dead after the aircraft collided with their security vehicle.
The flight, Emirates EK9788, had departed from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport at around 03:50 local time. Operated by Turkish-based ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo, the Boeing 747 freighter was attempting to land on the airport’s north runway when the accident occurred.
According to officials, the aircraft veered off the runway and struck a security patrol vehicle positioned outside the runway perimeter. The impact killed the two people inside the vehicle. All four crew members aboard the plane survived and were rescued.
The crash is considered one of the most serious aviation incidents in Hong Kong in recent years. The airport, known for its strong safety record, temporarily shut down the north runway for investigations, though other operations remained unaffected.
Authorities are now examining possible causes of the crash, including mechanical failure, runway conditions, and pilot actions. Early reports suggest the weather was clear at the time of landing.
The aircraft involved was over 30 years old and had been converted from a passenger jet to a cargo freighter.
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