Hong Kong, Oct. 20:A cargo aircraft flying from Dubai to Hong Kong skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea during landing at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, the airport authority confirmed. Local media reports indicate that two people were killed in the incident.
Photographs from the scene showed a Boeing 747 freighter bearing AirACT livery, partially submerged near the airport’s sea wall. The aircraft appeared severely damaged, with its nose and tail sections separated and an emergency slide deployed.
According to the airport authority, all four crew members onboard were rescued safely. However, two ground staff who were inside a vehicle believed to have been struck by the aircraft died at the scene, the South China Morning Post reported, citing police sources.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time (1950 GMT Sunday). Following the accident, operations on the northern runway were suspended, while the south and central runways remained operational to minimize disruption at one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs.
In a statement, Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) said the plane had “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea.” It added that “two ground staff were affected and fell into the sea,” with their conditions awaiting confirmation.
Emirates, which leased the aircraft, confirmed that Flight EK9788, operated by ACT Airlines, sustained damage on landing. “The crew are confirmed safe, and there was no cargo onboard,” Emirates said in a statement.
ACT Airlines, a Turkish cargo carrier providing supplemental capacity to major global airlines, has not yet issued an official comment.
Data from FlightRadar24 indicated that the aircraft involved was 32 years old, initially serving as a passenger jet before being converted into a freighter.
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department said it has reported the incident to the Air Accident Investigation Authority, which will conduct a full inquiry into the cause of the crash.
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