Daijiworld Media Network – Hong Kong

Hong Kong, Oct 20: A cargo plane flying from Dubai skidded off the runway and into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, resulting in the deaths of two people, local media reported.

The aircraft, a Boeing 747 cargo plane operated by ACT Airlines under a wet lease for Emirates, partially submerged near the airport’s sea wall. Photos from the scene showed the nose and tail sections separated, with the escape slide deployed.

All four crew members on board were rescued safely, according to Hong Kong International Airport. The two victims were reportedly in a ground vehicle near the runway that was struck by the aircraft, the South China Morning Post reported. Police have yet to comment further.

The incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. local time (1950 GMT Sunday). Following the accident, the airport’s northern runway was closed, while the south and central runways remained operational.

Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department confirmed that the plane “deviated from the north runway after landing and ditched into the sea.” Emirates clarified that flight EK9788 had no cargo onboard and sustained damage during the landing.

FlightRadar24 noted that the aircraft, 32 years old, had originally served as a passenger plane before conversion to a freighter. The Civil Aviation Department has reported the accident to the city’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, which will lead the probe.