A cargo plane from Dubai skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea while attempting to land at Hong Kong International Airport early on Monday, according to the airport operator. Local reports indicate that two individuals have died in the accident.
Images taken after the crash show the Boeing 747 cargo aircraft, with AirACT livery, partially submerged in water near the airport’s sea wall. The nose and tail sections of the plane were separated, and an emergency escape slide was deployed, reports Reuters and agencies.
The four crew members aboard the plane were successfully rescued, as confirmed by the airport authorities. However, two people working near the runway, suspected to be in a ground vehicle struck by the aircraft, were reported dead by the South China Morning Post, citing local police. The police have yet to provide an official statement.
Following the incident, the northern runway at Hong Kong International Airport was closed, but operations continued on the south and central runways. The accident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on Monday (1950 GMT on Sunday).
According to Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, the aircraft “deviated from the north runway after landing and fell into the sea.” The condition of the two ground staff who were affected and reportedly fell into the water is still being assessed.
Emirates, which confirmed the aircraft’s damage, stated that flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 cargo plane, was wet-leased from ACT Airlines, a Turkish cargo carrier. Emirates assured that the crew was safe and that no cargo was on board at the time. ACT Airlines did not immediately respond outside of regular business hours.
Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 revealed that the involved aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 747, had previously been a passenger plane before being converted to a freighter.
