Boeing 747 Cargo Jet Crashes into Sea During Landing at Hong Kong Airport; Two Ground Staff Killed
HONG KONG — A Boeing 747 cargo aircraft arriving from Dubai met with a horrific accident in the early hours of Monday when it skidded off the runway and plunged into the waters surrounding Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
The incident occurred at around 3:50 a.m. local time, causing chaos at one of Asia’s busiest aviation hubs.
According to reports from Sky News, the massive aircraft lost control while attempting to land amid wet conditions, veering off the northern runway before crashing through the airport’s sea wall and partially submerging in the adjacent waters.
Dramatic videos shared online show the fuselage broken in two, with both the nose and tail sections detached, and the aircraft resting at a precarious angle near the shoreline.
Emergency escape slides were deployed immediately after impact, allowing the four crew members on board to evacuate safely.
However, tragedy struck on the ground — two airport security personnel lost their lives after their patrol vehicle was struck by the skidding aircraft and pushed into the sea.
Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations at the Airport Authority Hong Kong, confirmed the fatalities at a press briefing later in the day.
“Rescue teams recovered the body of one of the security personnel at the scene, while the second succumbed to injuries after being taken to the hospital,” Yiu stated solemnly.
The Airport Authority announced that while the northern runway has been temporarily closed to facilitate rescue and recovery operations, the central and southern runways remain open to ensure minimal disruption to other flights.
Aircraft Details and Airline Response
Aviation data from FlightRadar24 identified the aircraft as a 32-year-old Boeing 747, which had originally been manufactured as a passenger airliner before being converted into a freighter.
The flight, registered as EK9788, was operated by ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates SkyCargo under a wet-lease agreement.
In a statement, Emirates confirmed that the freighter “sustained damage upon landing in Hong Kong” but reassured that all crew members were safe and there was no cargo onboard at the time of the incident.
Online Reactions and Renewed Boeing Scrutiny
The crash immediately set social media abuzz, with footage of the half-submerged jumbo jet going viral within minutes.
Many users expressed sorrow and disbelief, while others reignited criticism of Boeing’s troubled safety record.
“When I heard about the crash, I was shocked — accidents like this are extremely rare at Hong Kong Airport,” one aviation enthusiast commented online.
Another user wrote bluntly, “OMG, it’s Boeing again,” reflecting the growing frustration among travelers and experts alike over recent incidents involving Boeing-manufactured aircraft.
Condolence messages poured in for the families of the deceased security personnel.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims,” one post read, echoing the sentiments of many shaken by the tragedy.
Investigations by Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department and airport authorities are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the crash, including whether weather, mechanical failure, or pilot error played a role.
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