2 dead after Emirates cargo plane veers off Hong Kong runway into sea - as it happened
At about 3.50am, cargo flight swerves off Hong Kong airport’s north runway and hits ground patrol vehicle before partially landing in the sea
Two people were killed when a cargo plane veered off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, striking a ground vehicle and partially landing in the sea.
Authorities confirmed that weather and runway conditions were safe.
At about 3.50am, Emirates flight EK9788 from Dubai, operated by ACT Airlines, swerved off the runway during landing and struck a security patrol vehicle in the process, according to police.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747 freighter, failed to stop in time and landed in the waters off the airport’s north runway but with its nose still on shore. Initial reports suggested the plane also knocked the ground vehicle into the sea.
Two men aboard the security vehicle were initially reported missing. One, aged 30, was pulled by rescue divers from the sea and confirmed dead at the scene at 5.55am. The other, aged 41, was sent to North Lantau Hospital and was confirmed dead at 6.26am.
All four of the flight’s crew members escaped unharmed.
As a result of the incident, the airport’s north runway has been temporarily closed.
Airport authorities have contacted the aircraft owner and operator an investigation is under way.