HONG KONG: A tragic aviation accident occurred early Monday morning when a cargo plane arriving from Dubai crash-landed at Hong Kong International Airport, veered off the runway, and plunged into the sea. Two ground personnel lost their lives in the incident.
The aircraft, operating as Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788 and operated by Turkish carrier AirACT, attempted to land at approximately 3:50 AM local time on the airport’s newly opened third runway. According to airport authorities, the Boeing 747 freighter lost control upon landing, broke through perimeter fencing, and collided with an airport patrol vehicle, forcing it into the water.
The impact killed two members of the airport’s ground staff who were inside the patrol car at the time. All four crew members aboard the cargo plane were rescued without serious injuries, officials confirmed.
Massive Emergency Response
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department said an emergency response was initiated within two minutes of the crash. A total of 213 personnel, supported by 45 emergency vehicles and marine vessels, were deployed to the scene. Firefighters and rescue teams worked rapidly to secure the site, control fuel leakage risks, and recover victims.
Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, Executive Director of Airport Operations, told reporters that weather conditions were favorable at the time of the landing. He confirmed that while the north runway has been temporarily closed, airport operations remain largely unaffected, with flights continuing on the central and southern runways.
Rare Accident in Hong Kong’s Aviation History
According to data from Airfleets, the aircraft involved was a 32-year-old Boeing 747-481 BDSF, originally built as a passenger jet in 1993 and later converted for cargo use. Over its operational history, the plane served multiple airlines, including Japan’s ANA and Saudi Arabian Airlines, before joining AirACT’s fleet.
This tragedy marks only the second fatal accident at the Chek Lap Kok airport since it began operations in 1998, replacing the old Kai Tak facility. The last fatal crash occurred in 1999, when a China Airlines flight crash-landed during a typhoon, killing three people.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Recovery operations are ongoing near the affected runway, while aviation safety experts and engineers work to assess potential damage to airport infrastructure.
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