A cargo aircraft arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway and plunged partially into the sea while attempting to land at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, killing two people and leaving one of Asia’s busiest airports on partial shutdown.
The incident occurred around 3:50 am (local time), according to the Hong Kong Airport Authority. All four crew members on board the Boeing 747 freighter were rescued and taken to a hospital. Police later confirmed that two people in an airport ground vehicle were killed in the crash.
Plane partly submerged in the sea
Photos circulating online showed the plane’s rear fuselage missing, with the tailfin submerged in water just beyond the edge of the runway. Emergency teams and divers were seen working around the wreckage. Authorities have sealed off the area as rescue and recovery operations continue.
One of the airport’s three runways has been temporarily closed, leading to flight delays and diversions. Officials said the airport remains operational, though at reduced capacity.
Operated for Emirates by Turkish carrier
As reported by Mint, the aircraft, a 32-year-old Boeing 747, was operated by Turkish cargo airline AirACT for Emirates SkyCargo under flight number EK9788, according to Bloomberg. The flight had departed from Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport before the mishap.
“Crew are confirmed safe, and there was no cargo onboard,” Emirates said in a statement quoted by Reuters. AirACT and Emirates have yet to release further details pending investigation.
How bad is the aftereffects of the accidents
This crash marks one of the most serious incidents since the Hong Kong International Airport opened in 1998. The last major tragedy occurred in 1999, when a China Airlines flight flipped upside down during a typhoon landing, killing three passengers.
Monday’s crash also draws eerie parallels with a 1972 accident at the old Kai Tak Airport, when a similar Boeing 747 overshot the runway and ended up in the water amid stormy weather.
In a separate incident, a massive fire broke out at Dhaka’s international airport cargo complex on Saturday, gutting goods belonging to top garment exporters. The blaze disrupted operations and caused millions in trade losses, according to Reuters.
As smoke continued to rise from the site on Sunday, airport authorities in Bangladesh confirmed that investigations are underway to assess the full extent of the damage.
