Two airport ground staff have died after a cargo plane skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning.
The Emirates-operated flight, EK9788, arriving from Dubai around 3:50 a.m. local time (19:50 GMT), veered off the runway during landing and collided with an airport patrol vehicle.
The two occupants of the vehicle, aged 30 and 41, were confirmed dead, while all four crew members aboard the aircraft survived the crash.
Airport authorities described the accident as one of Hong Kong’s most serious aviation incidents in recent years. The city’s international airport, located at Chek Lap Kok, is known for its strong safety record.
According to Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations, the patrol car was operating on a designated road outside the runway fencing at a safe distance.
However, the aircraft suddenly turned off course, crashed through the fencing, and struck the vehicle, pushing it into the sea.
Hong Kong’s Transport Bureau expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the victims’ families.
Authorities from the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) are leading an inquiry and searching for the plane’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly known as black boxes. Police said criminal investigations had not been ruled out.
The affected runway has been closed for the remainder of the day, while the airport’s two other runways remain operational. At least 11 cargo flights scheduled to arrive on Monday were cancelled, according to the Airport Authority.
