Key Takeaways
- A cargo plane from Dubai skidded off the runway into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport.
- Two fatalities have been reported, both men aboard a ground vehicle.
- The aircraft involved was a Boeing 747 freighter operating with an Emirates flight number.
- The northern runway remains closed, while other runways continue operations.
A cargo plane arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway and into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday, resulting in two confirmed fatalities according to local media reports.
The incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. Hong Kong time (1950 GMT Sunday), prompting the closure of the airport’s northern runway. Airport authorities confirmed that the southern and central runways continue to operate normally.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
All four crew members aboard the aircraft were successfully rescued, according to official statements. One ground staff member was also rescued, though another remained missing initially.
The South China Morning Post later confirmed the deaths of two men who were aboard a ground vehicle at the time of the accident, citing police sources.
Aircraft Details and Ownership
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 identified the aircraft as a Boeing 747 freighter. In a social media post on X, the service noted the plane belonged to AirACT, a Turkish cargo airline that provides additional capacity for major carriers.
Hong Kong International Airport confirmed the aircraft was operating with an Emirates flight number. Both Emirates and AirACT have not immediately responded to requests for comment, with AirACT being contacted outside normal business hours.
