A cargo plane operated by Emirates skidded off the runway and broke apart at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, killing two ground staff and injuring others in a rare aviation tragedy.
According to Hong Kong aviation authorities, the Boeing 747-481 freighter, operating as flight EK9788 from Dubai, veered off the north runway at about 3:50 a.m. local time after landing in heavy rain. The aircraft broke through perimeter fencing, collided with a patrol vehicle, and came to rest partially submerged in the sea.
The two occupants of the patrol car were confirmed dead at the scene. Four crew members aboard the aircraft survived and were rescued by emergency teams.
Photographs from the crash site show the massive jet split in half, with its tail section floating near the seawall while the front half remains lodged on the runway’s edge. Emergency responders, including marine police and fire services, have been working through the morning to secure debris and prevent fuel leakage.
Airport authorities said the north runway has been closed to allow for recovery operations, though the airport’s two other runways remain open to minimize disruption to air traffic.
In a statement, Emirates expressed condolences to the families of the victims and said it was cooperating fully with Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, which has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the accident.
