Families of airport security guards killed in cargo plane crash seek answers and support

The tragic loss of two airport security guards in a cargo plane accident at Hong Kong International Airport has prompted their families, supported by a workers’ rights group, to call for thorough investigations and assistance as they navigate profound grief and financial challenges.

On October 20, an Emirates cargo plane veered off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport shortly after landing, colliding with an airport patrol vehicle and fatally injuring two security guards inside.

The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims announced today that the victims’ families met with representatives from the Hong Kong Airport Authority, the guards’ employer Aviation Security Company Limited, and other stakeholders, including Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics Joan Hung Sze-man, Turkish Consul General Kerim Sercan Evcin, and Gunes Nomaler, managing director of ACT Airlines, which operated the flight.

The families received condolences and assurances of support, with some parties offering compassionate payments to address immediate needs.

The families expressed gratitude for the outreach but raised several concerns.

They urged Emirates, as a key stakeholder, to personally engage with them to offer condolences and address their needs.

Additionally, they called on the government to coordinate with the Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Department, police, and other agencies to expedite the investigation and uncover the cause of the crash.

They also emphasized that those involved should remain in Hong Kong until the investigation is complete, with legal action taken if violations are found.

The advocacy group highlighted the families’ ongoing struggles, noting that both households include young children, aged seven and one, and face significant financial and housing pressures.

While the Airport Authority and security company provided initial financial aid, workplace injury compensation typically takes over a year to process, leaving long-term support uncertain.

The group vowed to continue advocating for the families, pressing government departments to offer sustained assistance as the investigation progresses and the families cope with their loss.