Cargo plane crashes into sea at Hong Kong airport, killing 2 on ground

A cargo aircraft operated by Emirates SkyCargo crashed into the sea near Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, killing two ground personnel after colliding with a security vehicle during landing.

The Boeing 747 freighter, operating as flight EK9788 on behalf of AirACT, was arriving from Dubai when it veered off the runway at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time. According to police and aviation authorities, the aircraft struck a patrol vehicle during its landing attempt before plunging off the runway into the waters north of the airport.

While all four crew members aboard the cargo aircraft managed to evacuate safely, the two men inside the security vehicle suffered fatal injuries. One man, 30, was recovered from the water by rescue divers and declared dead at the scene around 5:55 a.m. The second victim, aged 41, was rushed to North Lantau Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at 6:26 a.m.

The impact of the crash caused the aircraft’s tail section to break off as it went beyond the airport’s seawall, though the nose of the plane remained on shore.

Authorities confirmed that both weather and runway conditions were normal at the time of the incident. Emergency crews and aviation investigators were quickly dispatched to the scene, and an official investigation is now underway to determine the cause of the crash.

The incident has shocked both local officials and the international aviation community, with questions being raised about how a routine cargo landing ended in tragedy.

Emirates SkyCargo and AirACT have both expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.