Two airport staff were killed after a cargo plane arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport early this morning.
The incident occurred around 3:53 a.m., involving an Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788 operated by Turkish airline Air ACT. The Boeing 747-481 (BDSF) aircraft, registered as TC-ACF, reportedly lost control while landing on the north runway 07R after departing from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai.
According to reports, the plane veered sharply to the left during landing before half of its fuselage plunged into the sea near the end of the runway. The aircraft also collided with a ground service vehicle, tearing off one of its wheels and severely damaging it.
Two male airport workers inside the vehicle were thrown into the sea by the impact. Rescue teams managed to locate both victims around 5 a.m. The driver, who was unconscious, was rushed to North Lantau Hospital but was later pronounced dead, while the other victim was confirmed dead at the scene.
All four flight crew members on board the cargo plane escaped uninjured.
Emergency response teams — including the fire department, marine police, and Hong Kong air services — carried out rescue operations throughout the morning using boats and helicopters to search the surrounding area.
The airport’s north runway has been temporarily closed to facilitate investigations.
Data from Flightradar24 showed that flight EK9788 suddenly veered left after touchdown. Following the incident, Cathay Pacific flight CX851, which was scheduled to land next, had to abort its landing and was diverted to the south runway instead.
