A cargo plane arriving from Dubai ran off the runway and tumbled into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, crashing into a ground-service vehicle and leaving two ground workers dead.
The accident occurred at about 3.53am when Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788, operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT, landed on the north runway 07R after departing from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-481 (BDSF) registered TC-ACF, reportedly veered left midway through its landing roll before plunging partly into the waters off the runway.
According to sources, the freighter struck a ground-service vehicle during landing, ripping off one of its wheels and causing severe damage. Two male staff members in the vehicle were thrown into the sea.
Firefighters rescued both men at around 5am — the driver was rushed unconscious to North Lantau Hospital, where he was later confirmed dead, while the passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.
The four crew members aboard the freighter escaped uninjured. Rescue operations continued throughout the morning, with the fire department and marine police deploying vessels and a Flying Service helicopter to search the area.
The airport’s north runway remains closed as the investigation continues.
Data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 show that EK9788’s landing trajectory suddenly shifted left after touchdown. A Cathay Pacific flight CX851, which was next in line to land, was forced to abort its approach and divert to the south runway.
(Updated at 7.13am)
