2 Killed After Cargo Plane Crashes off Hong Kong Runway

A cargo plane arriving from Dubai plunged off the runway into the sea during landing at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, killing two ground workers and severely disrupting northern runway operations.

According to airport officials, the Turkish-operated Boeing 747 freighter, flying as Emirates flight EK9788, skidded off the runway shortly before 4 a.m. local time and struck a patrol vehicle before breaking apart near the sea wall.

The four crew members escaped unharmed and were rescued from the partially submerged aircraft, while emergency teams later recovered the bodies of two security staff trapped underwater in the vehicle.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, examining potential factors such as weather conditions, runway status, and aircraft performance.

Images from the scene showed the freighter split into two sections, with its nose and tail submerged in water and an evacuation slide deployed.

Hong Kong’s northern runway has been closed following the accident, though operations on the south and central runways remain unaffected.

Flight-tracking data confirmed that the aircraft was a Boeing 747 cargo jet operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo. Emirates said the flight carried no cargo at the time and confirmed that all crew members were safe.