The authorities are already investigating the survivors and workers to determine the causes of the accident.
A Boeing 747 cargo plane operated by Emirates SkyCargo skidded off the landing strip Hong Kong International Airport this morning, colliding with a patrol vehicle and partially falling into the sea. The incident, which occurred around 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT on Sunday), left a balance of two runway workers deadwhile the four crew members on board were unharmed.
Flight EK9788, which came from Dubai (Al Maktoum International Airport), was a device leased and piloted by the Turkish airline ACT Airlines, as confirmed by Emirates in an official statement. The plane, a Boeing 747-481F with registration TC-ACF, landed on the north runway (07R) but skidded due to conditions still being investigatedbreaking the perimeter fence and hitting an airport security vehicle. The impact He dragged the car into the water, about 7 meters deepwhere the two occupants – security employees – died: one at the scene and the other in the hospital after being rescued.
Images and videos spread on social networks show the plane fuselage split in twowith the rear section submerged in the sea near the retaining wall, while divers and rescue teams continue recovery efforts. Hong Kong Airport authorities deployed more than 200 firefighters, paramedics and 45 vehiclesincluding boats, for the rescue operation, which lasted about 40 minutes to extract the bodies. The crew membersall from Emirates, forced the emergency door and They were evacuated without serious injuriesalthough they receive medical attention.
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How the Emirates SkyCargo plane crash occurred
The airport, one of the busiest for cargo worldwide, reported that weather and track conditions were “safe” at the time of landing, initially ruling out rain or strong wind as direct factors. However, witnesses and preliminary videos suggest a possible braking or hydraulic failureaggravated by the weight of the device empty of cargo – Emirates confirmed that it was not transporting merchandise. A Cathay Pacific flight that was still on approach aborted its landing and was diverted to another runway.
The Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has begun an exhaustive investigation, focused on recover the black boxes (flight data and cockpit voice recorders) from the seabed. “Air safety is our absolute priority,” declared Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations, who detailed the sequence: the plane “went off the runway upon landing and broke the fence.” Emirates expressed “deep condolences” to the families of the victims and pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation, along with ACT Airlines and Boeing.
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AFP
The response of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department
The north runway remains closed indefinitely for the removal of the wreckage, declared “total loss” estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars. However, the central and southern runways operate normally, minimizing disruptions in a hub that handles millions of tons of cargo annually. This is the second fatality at the airport since its inauguration in 1998, after the China Airlines flight crash in 1999 that killed three people.
He Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and Transport Bureau mourned the tragedyextending support to affected families. While the authorities advance the investigation, the aviation world is closely observing this rare but devastating event at an airport with an impeccable safety record. Updates are expected in the coming hours as more evidence is recovered.
Source: Ambito
