A tragic accident at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning has left two airport security staff dead after a cargo aircraft arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea. The crash, which involved a Boeing 747 freighter operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, has been described as Hong Kong’s worst airport disaster in more than 25 years.
According to airport officials, the freighter was attempting to land on the north runway when it veered off course, striking a patrol vehicle and forcing it into the water. The massive aircraft ended up partially submerged near the airport’s sea wall, its fuselage torn apart. Miraculously, all four crew members on board escaped without injury, but the two airport workers inside the patrol vehicle lost their lives.
Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations at the Airport Authority Hong Kong, confirmed the deaths at a press briefing. “The two staff members were not breathing when rescued from the sea. One was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other passed away later at the hospital,” Yiu said. “Our deepest condolences go to their families and colleagues. This is an extremely difficult time for all of us.”
The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time (1950 GMT on Sunday). Air traffic control recordings obtained by Reuters indicate that the pilot of flight EK9788 had been cleared to land on runway 07L and reported no mechanical issues prior to the crash.
Man Ka-chai, Chief Accident and Safety Investigator of the Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), confirmed that air traffic control had not received any distress signals or requests for assistance from the crew before impact. “Our preliminary information shows that communication between the pilot and control tower was normal until the aircraft touched down. We are still determining what caused the sudden deviation from the runway,” he said.
Yiu explained that the airport security vehicle was operating in its designated zone and had not entered the runway area. “The patrol car was performing its regular duties along the service road. The aircraft, after landing, unexpectedly veered left, colliding with the vehicle. This manoeuvre was clearly not part of a normal landing path,” he noted.
Photos from the crash scene showed the cargo jet with its nose and tail sections separated, bearing AirACT livery, its fuselage partially submerged in shallow water. Emergency slides were deployed, and rescue teams worked through the early hours to recover survivors and retrieve the victims’ bodies.
Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) released a statement confirming that the aircraft “deviated from the north runway after landing and ended up in the sea.” Emirates later clarified that the freighter, which was operating as a cargo charter under ACT Airlines, had no goods on board. “All four crew members are confirmed safe. We are cooperating with local authorities to assist in the ongoing investigation,” the airline said.
Airport operations were briefly disrupted following the crash, with flights diverted to the southern runway while emergency services cleared the site. The northern runway is expected to reopen once safety inspections and structural assessments are completed.
Yiu added that the two deceased workers were long-serving staff members of the Airport Authority, with seven and twelve years of dedicated service, respectively. “They were hardworking individuals who played crucial roles in ensuring airport safety. We will provide every necessary form of support to their grieving families,” he said, visibly emotional.
The AAIA has launched a full-scale probe into the crash. Investigators are expected to review the aircraft’s flight data recorders, engine systems, and communication logs to identify possible causes. Factors such as wind direction, brake failure, and mechanical malfunction are being examined. Early weather reports indicated clear skies and calm winds at the time of the accident, suggesting that weather was not a contributing factor.
Aviation experts have described the crash as a rare and tragic occurrence, particularly given Hong Kong’s reputation for world-class aviation safety standards. “Hong Kong International Airport is one of the safest and most efficient in the world,” said aviation analyst Dr. Adrian Lam. “The fact that this happened indicates an extremely unusual set of circumstances, possibly involving a sudden mechanical failure or misjudgment during landing.”
ACT Airlines, headquartered in Istanbul, operates global cargo services under partnerships with major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and DHL. The airline has maintained a strong safety record in recent years, though it previously experienced a major crash in 2017 in Kyrgyzstan that killed 39 people after a freighter overshot the runway during poor weather.
This latest tragedy has reignited debates about runway safety management and communication coordination between air traffic control and ground vehicles. Hong Kong’s airport, which handles more than 400,000 aircraft movements annually, relies heavily on strict safety protocols to ensure smooth operations between aircraft and ground staff.
A statement from the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau expressed deep regret over the deaths and pledged government support for the affected families. “We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased airport workers and have instructed the Airport Authority to review safety procedures to prevent future incidents,” the statement read.
Tributes have flooded social media from the aviation community and beyond. Emirates Airlines described the accident as “deeply saddening” and commended the swift action of Hong Kong’s emergency responders. ACT Airlines also issued condolences, promising to “work closely with investigators and provide full transparency during the inquiry.”
According to the Aviation Safety Network, the crash represents Hong Kong’s deadliest airport-related accident since 1999, when a China Airlines flight crashed while attempting to land during a typhoon, killing three people.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the families of the deceased and restoring full operations at the airport. “The loss of two dedicated airport security officers has deeply shaken our community,” Yiu said. “We owe it to them to uncover the truth and make sure such a tragedy never happens again.”
For now, the incident stands as a somber reminder of the unseen risks faced daily by aviation professionals working behind the scenes to keep passengers and aircraft safe.
— Africa Live News
