A cargo plane veered off the runway and into the sea at Hong Kong’s airport on Monday, leaving two ground workers dead.
Emirates SkyCargo Flight EK9788 crashed into the sea on October 20, 2025, at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Internet.
Police told HKFP that a male staff member aboard a ground patrol vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, whilst another man in the vehicle died later at North Lantau Hospital.
The four crew members on board Emirates SkyCargo Flight EK9788 (UAE9788) escaped uninjured, police added, following the incident at around 4am.
The Boeing 747-481 was operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT and was arriving from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport.
Hong Kong International Airport. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
According to newspaper The Standard, citing sources, the plane struck the ground service vehicle when landing on the north runway, ripping off a wheel and launching the passengers into the sea.
In response to HKFP’s enquiry, the Airport Authority (AA) said: “At around 0350hrs, a cargo flight coded UAE9788, flying from Dubai to Hong Kong, skidded off the runway into the sea after landing on the North Runway. Rescue operations commenced immediately following the incident.”
The AA also said: “The Airport Emergency Centre has been activated. The North Runway has been closed due to the incident, while the South Runway and Centre Runway will continue to operate.”
‘Tail severed’
FlightRadar24 said that the aircraft veered left off the runway approximately 5,000 feet from the runway threshold. “The 747-400(BDSF) was traveling at 90 knots over the ground as it veered off the runway toward the sea wall. According to granular ADS-B data received by Flightradar24, the aircraft was traveling at 49 knots as it hit the water. The final ADS-B message received from the aircraft showed a speed of 43 knots.”
It added that, based on visual evidence showing the aircraft along the sea wall, the 747’s tail was severed as it entered the sea.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Safeguard press freedom; keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
