MWE Correspondent
A cargo aircraft tragically crashed into the sea near Hong Kong International Airport on Monday, resulting in the deaths of two ground staff while all four crew members onboard survived.
The Boeing 747-400F cargo plane, operating as Emirates SkyCargo Flight EK9788, veered off the north runway shortly after landing, striking a security patrol vehicle before ending up in the water.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the plane broke into two sections upon impact, floating partially submerged in the sea. Emergency responders acted swiftly, locating the two ground staff during an underwater search lasting roughly 40 minutes. One of the victims was declared dead at the scene, while the second succumbed to injuries later at a nearby hospital. The flight crew was rescued and transported to hospital, fortunately with no serious injuries.
The 32-year-old aircraft had been converted from a passenger jet to a freighter. Reports indicate it was not carrying any cargo at the time of the accident.
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Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department has launched a full investigation to determine the factors behind the crash. Investigators have recovered both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder, which will be analyzed for clues.
This incident is the first fatal accident at Hong Kong International Airport since its opening in 1998, a stark reminder of the inherent risks in aviation operations. The north runway was temporarily closed following the crash, but flights continued on the remaining runways without major disruption. Airport authorities have assured travelers that flight schedules remain largely unaffected.
Air travel and logistics experts are closely monitoring the investigation, which may reveal both technical and operational lessons. While the immediate focus is on understanding what went wrong, the accident also underscores the importance of airport safety protocols and rapid emergency response capabilities.
