A deadly crisis hit hong kong runway airport killed 2 people of workers.
The global aviation industry is in shock following a devastating runway excursion at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) that resulted in the tragic deaths of two airport staff members.
The incident, which saw an Emirates-leased cargo plane skid off the north runway and plunge into the sea, marks one of the most serious safety incidents at the busy Asian hub since its opening.
Initial reports of the calamity sparked a massive emergency response as the Boeing 747 freighter came to rest partially submerged in the water.
Deadly Runway Excursion
The horrifying accident unfolded in the early hours of Monday, October 20, 2025, at approximately 3:53 am local time.
Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788, a Boeing 747-400 freighter operated by Turkish carrier ACT Airlines (Air ACT) and arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, was in the final stages of its journey.
Upon landing on the north runway (07L), the aircraft abruptly and unexpectedly veered to the left, initiating a fatal skid.
The enormous plane quickly left the tarmac, broke through the perimeter fence, and collided with a security patrol vehicle that was carrying out routine duties on the perimeter road outside the fence.
The force of the impact was catastrophic, pushing both the ground vehicle and the massive aircraft into the adjacent sea. The aircraft eventually came to a rest partially submerged, with its tail section severed from the main fuselage.
Two Ground Staff Killed
The collision tragically claimed the lives of the two occupants of the airport patrol car. Fire and rescue services were immediately dispatched to the scene, but the rescue operation was complicated by the vehicles being dragged into the water.
Divers from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department worked to retrieve the two men, who were found trapped inside the sunken patrol car, approximately five metres offshore and in water around seven metres deep.
The victims, identified as a 41-year-old driver with 12 years of service and a 30-year-old passenger with seven years of experience, were recovered from the water around 5 am.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was rushed to North Lantau Hospital where he was later confirmed dead.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has since confirmed the fatalities and extended its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased employees.
In stark contrast, all four crew members aboard the Boeing 747 freighter were successfully rescued and reported to be unharmed, though they were transported to local hospitals for precautionary medical checks.
Emirates confirmed that the aircraft, which was wet-leased and operated by ACT Airlines, was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident.
Immediate Investigation Launched
The accident forced the immediate closure of the north runway, a critical artery for one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs. This closure led to the cancellation and delay of several cargo flights, although the airport’s central and south runways remained operational.
The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has launched a formal and extensive investigation to determine the precise cause of the runway excursion.
Authorities have stated that initial assessments indicate both the weather and runway conditions were within safe operating limits at the time of the landing.
The inquiry will therefore focus on other potential factors, including mechanical issues, aircrew actions, maintenance records, and airfield procedures.
Investigators are currently working to retrieve the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (the ‘black boxes’), which are crucial to understanding the final moments before the crash.
The scene remains a major recovery site, with efforts underway to salvage the wreckage from the sea. The north runway, though reported to have
undergone repairs to the surface and damaged fencing, has been reopened but is on ‘standby status’ and will not be in regular use until the salvage operation is fully completed and the airworthiness of the strip is unequivocally guaranteed.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan has expressed hope for an initial probe report from the air accident investigation authority to be released within a month.
Headline Points
- • Fatalities Confirmed: Two airport security staff members were killed after a cargo jet veered off the runway and collided with their patrol vehicle, pushing it into the sea.
- • Aircraft Details: The involved aircraft was an ACT Airlines-operated Boeing 747-400 freighter, operating as Emirates SkyCargo Flight EK9788 from Dubai.
- • Crew Safe: All four flight crew members aboard the aircraft survived the crash and were rescued.
- • Crash Dynamics: The aircraft swerved left approximately halfway down the runway, crashing through a fence before striking the ground vehicle and entering the sea.
• Airport Impact: The incident forced the temporary closure of the airport’s North Runway, causing flight disruptions.
• Investigation Underway: The Air Accident Investigation Authority has launched a full probe, examining aircrew actions, aircraft mechanics, and operational procedures, while confirming weather conditions were safe for landing.
