Tragic Incident at Hong Kong International Airport
A cargo aircraft, operating as Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788 and wet-leased from Turkish carrier ACT Airlines, skidded off the North Runway (07R) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) early on Monday, October 20, 2025. The incident, which occurred around 3:50 AM HKT, tragically resulted in the deaths of two airport ground staff members. The aircraft, a Boeing 747 freighter, originated from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai. The four crew members on board were safely rescued.
Details of the Accident
Upon landing, the Boeing 747-481 (BDSF), registered as TC-ACF, reportedly swerved left during its landing roll. It then crashed through a fence and struck a security patrol vehicle that was patrolling the perimeter outside the runway zone. The impact pushed the vehicle and its occupants into the sea adjacent to the runway. Rescuers later retrieved the two men from the sunken car. One man, aged 30, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other, aged 41, died after being transported to North Lantau Hospital. Both individuals were airport staff, having worked for the airport for seven and twelve years respectively. Footage from the scene showed the aircraft partially submerged in the water, with its tail section reportedly broken off and damage visible below the cockpit. Emirates confirmed that the aircraft was not carrying cargo at the time of the incident.
Rescue Operations and Investigation
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, deploying over 200 rescue personnel, including firefighters, marine police, and a Government Flying Service helicopter. Divers located the security vehicle approximately 40 minutes after the crash. Officials from the Airport Authority Hong Kong and the Civil Aviation Department confirmed that weather and runway conditions were deemed safe for operations at the time of the accident, and no distress signal was received from the aircraft. The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Police have also stated that they have not ruled out a criminal investigation. The incident led to the temporary closure of the North Runway, though the airport's other two runways remained operational.
6 Comments
Bella Ciao
Two ground staff dead? This is an unacceptable security failure at a major airport!
Muchacho
Transparent communication from the airport is important. They're handling this well.
Coccinella
It's a relief that the flight crew survived this horrific incident, but the deaths of two dedicated airport staff are truly heartbreaking. This event highlights the often-overlooked dangers faced by ground personnel in airport operations.
Africa
They claim safe conditions, but a 747 still crashed off the runway. Something is very wrong.
Bermudez
The airport authorities state that weather and runway conditions were safe, yet a plane still veered off course. The investigation needs to look beyond environmental factors and closely examine potential mechanical failures or pilot error.
Raphael
It's positive that the North Runway closure was temporary and other runways remained operational, minimizing disruption. However, the police not ruling out a criminal investigation suggests there could be more complex issues at play than just a simple accident.