Two ground staff killed after jet slides into sea
Two airport employees lost their lives early Monday morning when a Boeing 747 freighter ran off the runway and crashed into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport. The cargo plane, flown by Turkey’s ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo, was landing from Dubai at around 3:50 a.m. local time when it failed to stop on the north runway. The aircraft plowed through the airport’s perimeter fence, struck a patrol vehicle, and ended up partially submerged in the water. All four crew members escaped with minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
Investigation underway into cause of runway disaster
Authorities have launched a detailed probe into what caused the fatal crash. Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority confirmed that both black boxes had been recovered from the wreckage and will be examined. Officials said the weather was calm and visibility was good, pointing investigators toward potential mechanical or system failures. The runway remains closed as engineers inspect the site and work to remove debris from the damaged area.
Airport operations continue amid safety review
Flights at Hong Kong International Airport have continued with minimal disruption, as air traffic has been redirected to other runways. The Civil Aviation Department extended condolences to the victims’ families and pledged a full safety review for ground operations. The crash is one of the most serious at the airport in recent years and has renewed attention on the risks faced by workers stationed close to runways during aircraft movements.
