At least two individuals lost their lives following a mishap at Hong Kong International Airport where a cargo plane skidded off the runway and crashed into the sea during landing. The flight, originating from Dubai, was making its descent at approximately 3:50 am local time when the tragic incident occurred. Reports from Hong Kong’s airport authority indicate that the plane veered off the runway during the landing, crashing through a fence and colliding with a patrol car outside the runway, resulting in the fatalities of two ground staff members.
Authorities are considering the possibility of a criminal investigation in the aftermath of the crash, as mentioned by Mr. Yiu. Man Ka-chai, the chief accident and safety investigator for Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, noted that no distress call was received from the pilot before the incident. The aircraft crew were swiftly rescued by the Fire Department following the crash, while the security staff members were unfortunately declared deceased at different locations.
Despite the tragic event, the Airport Authority Hong Kong assured that the operational activities at the airport would not be significantly impacted. The incident involved a cargo aircraft wet leased from Act Airlines, operated by Emirates, with all crew members confirmed safe. An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances leading to the crash.
The Civil Aviation Department and other relevant authorities are actively engaging in the investigation process to ascertain the cause of the accident and ensure the safety of future airport operations. This incident marks the second fatal occurrence at the current Hong Kong International Airport since its relocation in 1998, following a similar tragedy in 1999.
The north runway remains closed following the accident, but operations continue smoothly on the center and south runways. The authorities are committed to cooperating fully in the investigative process to prevent such incidents in the future.